by Fr. William J. Cogan
To fill in what is missing in the lives of so many people – the knowledge and practice of true religion.
“The heart of the wise seeketh instruction: and the mouth of fools feedeth on foolishness.” (Proverbs 15:14).
Because God expects you to know what He has taught and what He wants you to do in this life.
“Let no man deceive himself: if any man among you seem to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God.”(I Corinthians 3:18-19).
Religion consists of two parts:
“Be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.”(James 1:22).
Yes, for several reasons —
“For he that rejecteth wisdom, and discipline, is unhappy: and their hope is vain, and their labors without fruit, and their works unprofitable. Their wives are foolish and their children wicked.” (Wisdom 3:11-12).
They will be punished with the everlasting torments of Hell.
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven, with the angels of His power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8).
Peace of mind, which is greater than anything money can buy.
“Blessed are they who hear the word of God, and keep it.” (Luke 11:28).
“Much peace have they that love thy law, and to them there is no stumbling block.” (Psalm 118:165).
No, there is only one true religion, the one established by God Himself, which is explained in these lessons.
“God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in times past to the fathers by the prophets, last of all in these days hath spoken to us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the world.” (Hebrews 1:1)
A collection of writings which were inspired by God.
“All scripture, inspired of God, is profitable to teach, to reprove, to correct, to instruct in justice, that the man of God may be perfect, furnished to every good work.” (2 Timothy 3:16-17)
It means that God chose some men and moved them to write down faithfully all the things, and only those things, which He wanted written down.
“For prophecy came not by the will of man at any time: but the holy men of God spoke, inspired by the Holy Ghost.” (2 Peter 1:21)
God is, since He moved these men to write down the things He ordered, although He allowed them to write in their own language and style.
“For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. For neither did I receive it of man, nor did I learn it;’ but by the revelation of Jesus Christ.” (Galatians 1:11-12)
There are 72.
The Catholic Church put all of them into one book between the years 350 and 405.
It is divided into two main parts, the Old Testament and the New Testament.
The Old Testament contains the things God told the human race from the beginning of the world up to the coming of His son, Jesus Christ. The New Testament contains what God has told us through His Son and through His Apostles and others.
Yes, even the Bible itself says so.
“As also in all his [St. Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
You can get it only from God’s official interpreter, the Catholic Church.
“Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)
No, the rest is in tradition.
“Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of His disciples, which are not written in this book.” (John 20:30)
The Unwritten Word of God; these “other things Jesus did” were handed down by word of mouth by the Apostles and other close followers of Jesus.
“Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.” (2 Thessalonians 2:14)
Yes, because it is the Word of God and has equal authority with the Bible.
The early Christians learned everything by Tradition, since only later on were some of the teachings of Jesus written down, the last writing being done at the end of the first century. That is, there was no New Testament in the early Church.
No, you have to believe everything in the Bible and Tradition – all the doctrines that the Catholic Church teaches.
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with the angels of His power: in a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-8)
A serious sin, that is, a mortal sin.
“Whosoever revolteth, and continueth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that continueth in the doctrine, the same hath both the Father and the Son.” (2 John 1:9)
“Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and of the knowledge of God! How incomprehensible are His judgments and how unsearchable His ways! For who hath known the mind of the Lord, or who hath been His counsellor? Or who hath first given to Him, and recompense shall be made Him? For of Him and by Him and in Him, are all things; to Him be glory forever. Amen.” (Romans 11:33-36)
God is the Supreme Being, the Creator, “who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all things that are in them.” (Psalm 145:5)
It means that God made all things out of nothing.
“I beseech thee, my son, look upon Heaven and earth, and all that is in them: and consider that God made them out of nothing, and mankind also.” (2 Machabees 7:28)
A creature is anything made by God.
If you just examine the things in this world, you have to admit that someone had to make them.
“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee: and the birds of the air, and they shall tell thee. Speak to the earth, and it shall answer thee: and the fishes of the sea shall tell. Who is ignorant that the hand of the Lord hath made all these things?” (Job 12:7-9)
“The fool hath said in his heart: There is no God.” (Psalm 13:1)
Because He has no body.
“God is a spirit.” (John 4:24)
God is everywhere.
“Whither shall I go from Thy spirit or whither shall I flee from Thy face? If I ascend into heaven, Thou are there: if I descend into hell, Thou art present.” (Psalm 138:7-8)
Yes, because He is everywhere.
“The eyes of the Lord in every place behold the good and the evil.” (Proverbs 18:3)
God is ageless, eternal, which means that He had no beginning and will have no end and will never change.
“Before the mountains were made, or the earth and the world was formed: from eternity and to eternity thou art God.”(Psalm 89:2)
Yes, “With God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
Yes, He is alive and is the source of life. Over 30 Bible references call Him “the living God.”
“All things were made by Him: and without Him was made nothing that was made. In Him is life. (John 1:3-4)
Yes, He depends on nothing and is unlimited (infinite) in every way.
“Neither is He served with men’s hands, as though he needed any thing; seeing it is He who giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” (Acts 17:25)
Yes, and He loves you with an unlimited love.
“Can a woman forget her infant, so as not to have pity on the son of her womb? and if she should forget, yet I will not forget thee.” (Isaias 49:15)
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them.
“For the Lord your God is merciful, and will not turn away His face from you, if you return to Him.” (2 Paralipomenon 30:9)
This means that there are three persons in One God.
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19)
God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Ghost.
“And there are three who give testimony in Heaven, the Father, the Word, and the Holy Ghost. And these three are one.” (I John 5:7)
Yes, they are equal to One Another, but each One is a separate and distinct Person, and each One is God.
This is a mystery that no human mind can completely understand.
“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you. For every one that asketh, receiveth: and he that seeketh, findeth: and to him that knocketh, it shall be opened. Or what man is there among you, of whom if his son shall ask bread, will he reach him a stone? Or if he shall ask him a fish, will he reach him a serpent? If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children: how much more will your Father who is in Heaven, give good things to them that ask Him?” (Matthew 7:7-11)
Prayer is the raising of the mind and heart to God.
You should pray–
“What hast thou not received? And if thou hast received, why dost thou glory, as if thou hadst not received it?” (1 Corinthians 4:7)
“O God, be merciful to me a sinner.” (Luke 18:13)
“Ask, and it shall be given you: seek, and you shall find: knock, and it shall be opened to you.” (Matthew 7:7).
Every day, especially–
“And the smoke of the incense of the prayers of the saints ascended up before God from the hand of the angel.” (Apocalypse 8:4).
Because they are God’s best friends; God will listen to them more than to us who are still sinners.
“Go to my servant Job, and offer yourselves a holocaust: and my servant Job shall pray for you: his face I will accept, that folly be not imputed to you: for you have not spoken right things before me, as my servant Job hath.” (Job 42:8)
Everyday pray to get into Heaven; when praying for anything else, always say, “Grant this request, Lord, if it is Your will.”
“For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore first the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:32-33).
Yes, but He does not always give what you ask for, because you sometimes ask for things that are bad for you, or you do not ask God properly.
He hears their prayers for the grace of true repentance (the grace to feel sorry for your sins and confess them to a priest), but He does not hear their prayers for other favors, unless they are willing to give up their sins and do penance.
“Now we know that God doth not hear sinners: but if a man be a server of God, and doth His will, him He heareth.” (John 9:31)
No, everyone should pray. Especially should mortal sinners pray to be delivered from their sins.
“I desire not the [eternal] death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way, and live.” (Ezechiel 33:11).
“For every one that asketh, receiveth.” (Matthew 7:8)
“And this is the confidence which we have Towards Him: That, whatsoever we shall ask according to His will, He heareth us.” (I John 5:14).
Because, as members of human society, we owe God public recognition of Him as Supreme Master of society.
“For where there are two or three gathered together in My name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20).
At least once a day, preferably after the evening meal, when all the members of the family are together.
“A family that prays together stays together.” (Father Peyton).
Note: As a creature of God, you are bound to pray to Him, not only as an individual, but also as a member of society. The chief form of public worship in the Catholic Church is the Mass, which is explained in this lesson. A fuller explanation will be given in Lesson 23.
The priest changes bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ and offers them to God the Father.
Jesus Christ, right after the Last Supper on the night before He died, nearly 2,000 years ago.
“And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to His disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is My Body. And taking the chalice, He gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is My Blood.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
Because He is God.
Yes, to His twelve Apostles.
“Do this for a commemoration of Me.” (Luke 22:19)
Yes, because He wanted all men of all times to have the Holy Sacrifice and to eat His Body and drink His Blood.
“Except you eateth the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His Blood, you shall not have life in you.” (John 6:54)
By making other men priests and bishops.
The priests and bishops of the Catholic Church.
At the Consecration, about the middle of Mass, when he says “This is My Body.” “This is the chalice of My Blood…”
“And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne, and the living creatures, and the ancients; and the number of them was thousands of thousands, saying with a loud voice: The Lamb that was slain is worthy to receive power, and divinity, and wisdom, and strength, and honor, and glory, and benediction.” (Apocalypse 5:11-12)
An angel is a spirit, that is, a creature who does not have a body.
Yes, because an angel has a mind and a will.
The Bible mentions angels about three hundred times.
To serve Him in Heaven, to act as His messengers to man, and to act as guardians over human beings.
Yes, God appoints an angel to watch over every human being.
“See that you despise not one of these little ones: For I say to you, that their angels in Heaven always see the face of My Father Who is in Heaven.” (Matthew 18:10)
Your angel prays for you, protects you from evil and inspires you to do good.
“Behold I will send My angel, who shall go before thee, and keep thee in thy journey, and bring thee into the place that I have prepared. Take notice of him, and hear his voice.” (Exodus 23:20-21)
No, some of them, led by Lucifer, or Satan, disobeyed God and were sent immediately into Hell. These are the fallen angels or devils.
“And there was a great battle in heaven, Michael and his angels fought with the dragon, and the dragon fought and his angels. And they prevailed not, neither was their place found any more in heaven.” (They were sent to Hell) (Apocalypse 12:7-8)
Yes, the Bible often speaks of the devil as a real person.
“And that great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, who is called the devil and Satan, who seduceth the whole world.” (Apocalypse 12:9)(In Protestant Bibles, the book of Apocalypse is called Revelation)
The devil tempts people to commit sin.
“Watch out, because the devil goes about seeking whom he may devour. You must resist him, being strong in Faith and knowing that he persecutes everyone else in the world, too.” (1 Peter 5:8-9)
The best weapons against the devil are prayer (especially calling on Jesus and Mary), holy water, blessed medals, scapulars and other blessed objects.
“Put you on the armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the deceits of the devil. For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood; but against principalities and powers, against the rulers of the world of this darkness, against the spirits of wickedness in high places.” (Ephesians 6:11-12)
“Lay not up to yourselves treasures on earth: where the rust, and moth consume, and where thieves break through and steal. But lay up to yourselves treasures in Heaven: Where neither the rust nor moth doth consume, and where thieves do not break through, nor steal. For where thy treasure is, there is thy heart also.” (Matthew 6:19-21)
A creature who has a body and soul.
“Thou hast made him a little less than the angels, thou hast crowned him with glory and honor.” (Psalm 8:6)
It is the spiritual part of man, that part which will never die.
“God said, ‘Let us make man to our image and likeness.'” (Genesis 1:26)
In every part of you that is alive.
Yes, just as real as your body.
You can do spiritual things: You can think, do things without being forced, decide not to do things, make things, enjoy a joke or a book or a party, talk, work out mathematical problems, etc… An animal cannot do any of these things. That which makes you able to do them is your soul.
God created your soul and joined it to the tiny body in your mother’s womb.
“And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)
Until death, which is the separation of body and soul.
“And the dust return into its earth, from whence it was, and the spirit return to God Who gave it.” (Ecclesiastes 12:7)
“Watch ye therefore, because you know not the day nor the hour.” (Matthew 28:13)
It will rot away to the earth from which it came.
“For dust thou art, and into dust thou shalt return.” (Genesis 3:19)
It will be judged by God and will go to Heaven, to Purgatory or to Hell.
“It is appointed unto men once to die, and after this the judgment.” (Hebrews 9:27)
Yes, on Judgment Day God will call your body back from the earth and join it to your soul. This will be the resurrection of the body at the end of the world.
“Behold, I tell you a mystery. We shall all indeed rise again: but we shall not all be changed. In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall rise again incorruptible.” (1 Corinthians 15:51-52)
Yes, both body and soul will be together forever, either in Heaven or Hell.
“For we must all be manifested before the judgment seat of Christ, that every one may receive the proper things of the body, according as he hath done, whether it be good or evil.” (2 Corinthians 5:10)
Nobody but God knows this.
“But of that day and hour no one knoweth, no not the angels of heaven, but the Father alone.” (Matthew 24:36)
Pray constantly, obey all of God’s commandments, and do penance for your sins.
“And take heed to yourselves, lest perhaps your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting and drunkenness, and the cares of this life, and that day come upon you suddenly. For as a snare shall it come upon all that sit upon the face of the whole earth. Watch ye, therefore, praying at all times, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that are to come, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)
To live your life according to God’s plan and thus to save your soul.
“For what shall it profit a man, if he gain the whole world and suffer the loss of his soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Mark 8:36-37)
“Behold now you that say: Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and there we will spend a year, and will traffic, and make our gain. Whereas you know not what shall happen tomorrow. For what is your life? It is a vapor which appears for a little while, and afterwards shall vanish away. For that you should say: If the Lord will, and if we shall live, we will do this or that.” (James 4:13-15)
“And Jesus addressed them, and spoke to them again in parables, saying, “The kingdom of Heaven is likened to a king, who made a marriage for his son… And the marriage was filled with guests. And the king went in to see the guests: And he saw there a man who had not on a wedding garment. And he saith to him: Friend, how camest thou in hither not having on a wedding garment? But he was silent. Then the king said to the waiters: Bind his hands and feet and cast him into the exterior darkness: There shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 22:1-12)
God made you to know, love and serve Him in this world so that you might share in His happiness in Heaven.
No, because God has a completely different kind of life.
To share in the happiness of another, it is necessary to have the same kind of life. A dog, for example, cannot enjoy a book because man has a higher kind of life than the dog.
God’s life is unlimited, uncreated and independent, whereas, human life is very limited, created by God and absolutely dependent on Him.
“For in Him we live, and move, and are.” (Acts 17:28)
A new kind of life, called Sanctifying Grace.
A sharing in the life of God, which raises you to God’s level and gives you the power to share in His happiness.
“By whom He hath given us the most great and precious promises: that by these you may be made partakers of the divine nature.” (2 Peter 1:4)
No, only like God, because Sanctifying Grace is a created sharing in the life of God.
You are still a human being, but one that is equipped to live in Heaven.
No, it is absolutely impossible to live in Heaven without Sanctifying Grace.
The wedding garment in the parable (Matthew 22:10-13) is Sanctifying Grace. The banquet hall is Heaven, and the king is God. The attendants are the Angels, and the darkness outside is Hell.
No, all human beings are created without Sanctifying Grace.
“For all have sinned, and do need the glory of God. Being justified freely by His grace, through the redemption, that is in Christ Jesus.” (Romans 3:23-24)
Baptism puts Sanctifying Grace into your soul for the first time.
“Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
Yes, chiefly by receiving Holy Communion and the other Sacraments, and by prayer and good works.
“But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
Yes, by committing a serious sin (that is, a mortal sin) — one that destroys God’s life in your soul.
“But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.” (James 1:15)
No, because Sanctifying Grace is completely spiritual.
It is impossible to experience something spiritual, such as grace, a soul, or an angel, with one of the five senses.
No, nor does the absence of such a feeling indicate the absence of Sanctifying Grace.
A person being baptized may not experience a religious feeling but can be morally certain from the promise of Christ that Baptism is putting Sanctifying Grace into his soul.
“Behold what manner of charity the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called, and should be the sons of God. Therefore the world knoweth not us, because it knew not Him. Dearly beloved, we are now the sons of God; and it hath not yet appeared what we shall be. We know, that, when He shall appear, we shall be like to Him: Because we shall see Him as He is.” (1 John 3:1-2)
The place of perfect happiness in the next world.
“Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither hath it entered into the heart of man, what things God hath prepared for those that love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Only those who have Sanctifying Grace in their souls at the moment of death.
“Then shall the king say to them that shall be on His right hand: Come, ye blessed of My Father, possess you the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world.” (Matthew 25:34)
It will consist in seeing God face to face and possessing Him in divine love.
“We see now through a glass in a dark manner; but then face to face. Now I know in part: But then I shall know even as I am known.” (1 Corinthians 13:12)
Because God made you for Himself and you can find perfect satisfaction in Him alone.
“Thou hast made us for Thyself, O Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in Thee.” St. Augustine)
No, the happiness of some will be greater than that of others, but everyone will be as happy as he can be.
Because some will see God more clearly.
“For the Son of man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will render to every man according to his works.” (Matthew 16:27)
Because they died with more Sanctifying Grace on their souls.
“And every man shall receive his own reward, according to his own labor.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)
Try to get as much Sanctifying Grace in your soul as you can before you die.
“Labor not for the meat which perisheth, but for that which endureth unto life everlasting, which the Son of man will give you.” (1 Corinthians 3:8)
“The night cometh, when no man can work.” (John 9:4)
No, nor will there be any sickness, temptation, or sin, but complete, unending joy.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes: and death shall be no more, nor mourning, nor crying, nor sorrow shall be any more.” (Apocalypse 21:4)
Yes, and also the Angels and Saints.
“Now therefore you are no more strangers and foreigners: But you are fellow citizens with the saints, and the domestics of God.” (Ephesians 2:19)
Dying with a serious (mortal) sin on your soul.
“And there shall not enter into it any thing defiled, or that worketh abomination or maketh a lie, but they that are written in the book of life of the Lamb.” (Apocalypse 21:27)
Every day, since getting to Heaven is the purpose of life.
“As the heart panteth after the fountains of water; so my soul panteth after Thee, O God. My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God?” (Psalm 41:2-3)
The souls in Heaven see God face to face; whereas, those in Limbo do not.
Seeing God face to face is called the Beatific Vision. It contains all possible happiness and is unending.
“Let no man, when he is tempted, say that he is tempted by God. For God is not a tempter of evils, and he tempteth no man. But every man is tempted by his own concupiscence, being drawn away and allured. Then when concupiscence hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin. But sin, when it is completed, begetteth death.” (James 1:13-15)
Sin is any thought, word, desire, action, or neglect (omission) prohibited (forbidden) by the law of God.
To be guilty –
Two – mortal sin and venial sin.
A “big” sin, a serious violation of God’s law.
Examples: Getting drunk, adultery, stealing something expensive.
It drives the Sanctifying Grace out of your soul.
“What fruit had you then in those things, of which you are now ashamed? For the end of them is death.” (Romans 6:21)
You will go to Hell forever.
“They shall have their portion in the pool burning with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” (Apocalypse 21:8)
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them and do everything necessary for forgiveness.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.” (1 John 1:9)
A “small” sin, a less serious violation of God’s law.
Examples: Impatience, ordinary anger, stealing something cheap, getting slightly drunk.
It does not drive out the Sanctifying Grace from your soul, but it does make you less pleasing to God.
You will go to Purgatory.
No. (Except that a series of similar small, recurring thefts from the same person amounts to one large theft and therefore can be a mortal sin.)
No, if it is through no fault of yours that you do not know it is wrong.
Example: If you eat meat on Ash Wednesday, completely forgetting that it is Ash Wednesday, you are not guilty of sin.
(Ed. note: There are some things, though, that you know are wrong, even though somebody may never have told you that they are wrong, such as birth control or homosexuality. Even though you may not have been told that they are wrong, common sense or the natural law tells you that they are wrong.)
Yes, because even the intention to offend God is a sin.
Example: If you intend to rob a bank, but are frightened off by the guards, you still commit just as bad a sin as if you had robbed the bank.
You should not do it; otherwise, you will commit a mortal sin, because you show yourself willing to offend God seriously.
Example: You do not know whether eating too much is a mortal or venial sin, but you go ahead and eat too much anyway.
Temptation is an attraction to commit sin.
Yes, because no temptation can force you into sin, and God will always help you.
“And God is faithful, Who will not suffer you to be tempted above that which you are able: But will make also with temptation issue, that you may be able to bear it.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
First, ask God to help you, and then, get busy doing something else.
“And lead us not into temptation. But deliver us from evil.” (1 Corinthians 10:13)
Avoid all persons, places or things that may lead you into sin, and ask God for actual graces.
They are “helps” from God which enlighten the mind and strengthen the will to do good and avoid evil.
“My grace is sufficient for thee: For power is made perfect in infirmity.” (2 Corinthians 12:9)
Actual graces come and go, but Sanctifying Grace remains in the soul. Sanctifying Grace is LIFE; actual grace is HELP.
Unfortunately, yes, for you are free, and God does not force you to use them.
“And we helping do exhort you, that you receive not the grace of God in vain.” (2 Corinthians 6:1)
“The Son of Man shall send His angels, and they shall gather out of His kingdom all scandals, and them that work iniquity. And shall cast them into the furnace of fire: there shall be weeping and gnashing of teeth.” (Matthew 13:41-42)
The place in the next world where the souls of the damned are condemned to suffer forever with the devils.
“If any one abide not in Me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth.” (John 15:6)
The Bible and Tradition (and Jesus too) often speak of the everlasting punishments of Hell.
“Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand: Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels. And these shall go into everlasting punishments: But the just, into life everlasting.” (Matthew 25:41-46)
Those who die with mortal sin on their souls, that is, without Sanctifying Grace.
“And whosoever was not found written in the book of life, was cast into the pool of fire.” (Apocalypse 20:15)
No, Hell is a place of “everlasting punishment.” (Matthew 25:46)
“And the smoke of their torments shall ascend up for ever and ever: neither have they rest day nor night.” (Apocalypse 14:11)
Separation from God, torture by fire, regret, and the companionship of the devils.
“Before I go, and return no more, to a land that is dark and covered with the mist of death: a land of misery and darkness, where the shadow of death, and no order, but everlasting horror dwelleth.” (Job 10:21-22)
To be separated from God, the Source of all love and happiness, will be the greatest pain in Hell.
“The Lord Jesus shall be revealed from Heaven, with the angels of His power: In a flame of fire, giving vengeance to them who know not God, and who obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Who shall suffer eternal punishment in destruction, from the face of the Lord, and from the glory of His power.” (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9)
Yes, Jesus often spoke of the “unquenchable fire” of Hell and says that the damned souls will be “salted with fire” (Mark 9:43), which is “everlasting fire” (Matthew 25:41).
“If any one abide not in me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth.” (John 15:6)
The fire in Hell burns without consuming (it does not burn up your body, so the pain never ends) and can torture not only the body but the soul as well.
“Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not extinguished.” (Mark 9:47)
“Humble thy spirit very much: For the vengeance on the flesh of the ungodly is fire and worms.” (Ecclesiasticus 7:19)
The pain of regret means that you will be tortured forever with the thought that you had so many chances to save your soul and be happy with God, but lost Heaven because of mortal sin.
Your companions in Hell will be the devils and the other lost souls, who will always hate you and mock you for being such a fool.“Then He shall say to them also that shall be on His left hand: Depart from Me, you cursed, into everlasting fire which was prepared for the devil and his angels.” (Matthew 25:41)
All the souls in Hell will have the same type of punishment, but the degree of suffering will differ according to the number and kind of sins committed.
We invite you to read some of the many good articles we offer on Hell to supplement this lesson.
“And the day following Judas [Machabeus] came with his company, to take away the bodies of them that were slain, and to bury them with their kinsmen, in the sepulchres of their fathers. And they found under the coats of the slain some of the donaries of the idols of Jamnia, which the law forbiddeth to the Jews: So that all plainly saw, that for this cause they were slain. Then they all blessed the just judgment of the Lord, who had discovered the things that were hidden. And so betaking themselves to prayers, they besought Him, that the sin which had been committed might be forgotten. But the most valiant Judas exhorted the people to keep themselves from sin, forasmuch as they saw before their eyes what had happened, because of the sins of those that were slain. And making a gathering, he sent twelve thousand drachms of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifice to be offered for the sins of the dead, thinking well and religiously concerning the resurrection, (for if he had not hoped that they that were slain should rise again, it would have seemed superfluous and vain to pray for the dead), and because he considered that they who had fallen asleep with godliness, had great grace laid up for them. It is therefore a holy and wholesome thought to pray for the dead, that they may be loosed from sins.” (Matthew 13:41-42)
A place and state of temporary punishment in the next world. Hell, on the other hand, is a place of eternal or everlasting punishment.
It means “cleansing” (or “purging”). Purgatory is a place where the soul is cleansed of unforgiven venial sin and/or the “debt” of sins already forgiven but not yet made up for.
“If any one abide not in Me, he shall be cast forth as a branch, and shall wither, and they shall gather him up, and cast him into the fire, and he burneth.” (John 15:6)
The constant teaching and practice of the Catholic Church, based on the Bible and tradition, and even common sense, prove the existence of Purgatory.
Only people with mortal sin go to Hell, and on the other hand, no one can enter Heaven with even the smallest sin. Therefore, there must be a place in the next world where lesser sins can be taken off the soul.
People who die with Sanctifying Grace in their souls, but —
This means that, even though God forgives your sins, He still requires that you be punished for them (i.e. “pay” for them), either in this life or in the next.
For example: A boy playing ball in his yard breaks his neighbor’s window. He goes and tells the lady he is sorry, and she forgives him but she tells him he will still have to pay for the window.
Yes. Besides not being allowed to see God face to face, the souls in Purgatory suffer a great deal.
“The fire of Purgatory”, says St. Augustine, “is more terrible than man can suffer in this life.”
That depends on the number and seriousness of the sins to be atoned for.
“My soul hath thirsted after the strong living God; when shall I come and appear before the face of God.” (Psalm 41:3)
To Heaven to see God and enjoy Him forever.
“Amen I say to thee, thou shalt not come out from thence till thou repay the last farthing.” (Matthew 5:26)
Yes, at the Last Judgment. After that all souls will be in either Heaven or Hell forever.
You can shorten their stay by having Masses said for them, by praying for them and by doing good works for them.
“Have pity on me, have pity on me, at least you my friends, because the hand of the Lord hath touched me.” (Job 19:21)
Yes. We read that Judas Machabeus, “sent twelve thousand drachmas of silver to Jerusalem for sacrifices to be offered for the sins of the dead.” (2 Machabees 12:43)
Avoid even the smallest faults, do penance for sins already forgiven, gain indulgences and receive Extreme Unction (See Lesson 26.)
“Wherefore as by one man sin entered into this world, and by sin death; and so death passed upon all men, in whom all have sinned… For as by the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners; so also by the obedience of one, many shall be made just.” (Romans 5:12, 19)
Read the first three chapters of Genesis.
The sin committed by Adam, the father of the human race. By Original Sin, Adam lost Sanctifying Grace.
The first man and woman, from whom every human being on this earth is descended.
Because of Adam’s sin, every human being is created with Original Sin on his soul and without Sanctifying Grace, since Adam was the father of the human race.
Adam’s nature became “fallen” through Original Sin, and we his descendants inherit his fallen nature.
“By the disobedience of one man, many were made sinners.” (Romans 5:19)
The gates of Heaven were closed; disease, pain and death came into the world; the mind of man was darkened and his will was weakened.
“For the imagination and thought of man’s heart are prone to evil from his youth.” (Genesis 8:21)
No, because of Christ’s death on the Cross, God reopened Heaven and made Sanctifying Grace available to man.
“As in Adam all die, so also in Christ all shall be made alive.” (1 Corinthians 15:22)
They went to Limbo, a place of natural happiness in the next world, and stayed there until Jesus ascended into heaven.
“And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom. And the rich man also died: and he was buried in Hell.” (Luke 16:22)
Baptism takes away Original Sin and put Sanctifying grace in your soul.
“Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. (John 3:5)
Yes, the Blessed Virgin Mary, whose soul was created with Sanctifying Grace in it. This is called the Immaculate Conception.
“And the angel being come in, said unto her: Hail, full of grace, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women. (Luke 1:28)
“For God so loved the world, as to give His only begotten Son; that whosoever believeth in Him, may not perish, but may have life everlasting. For God sent not His Son into the world, to judge the world, but that the world may be saved by Him.” (John 3:16-17)
No, He promised to send a savior into the world and to open again the gates of Heaven.
“I will put enmities between thee and the woman, and thy seed and her seed: She shall crush thy head, and thou shalt lie in wait for her heel.” (Genesis 3:15)
Jesus Christ, who, by His death on the Cross, has saved us from our sins.
“Thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
The Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, true God and true man.
“And I saw, and I gave testimony, that this is the Son of God.” (John 1:34)
The Blessed Virgin Mary.
“And the angel said to her: Fear not, Mary, for thou hast found grace with God. Behold thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son; and thou shalt call His name Jesus.” (Luke 1:30-31)
No, because Mary conceived Jesus through the power of God.
“Therefore the Lord Himself shall give you a sign. Behold a virgin shall conceive, and bear a Son, and His name shall be called Emmanuel.” (Isaias 7:14)
He was only the foster father of Jesus.
“The angel of the Lord appeared to him in his sleep, saying: ‘Joseph, son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife, for that which is conceived in her, is of the Holy Ghost.'” (Matthew 1:20)
No, she and Joseph lived as brother and sister, although they were legally married.
“The angel Gabriel was sent from God… to a virgin espoused to a man whose name was Joseph… and the virgin’s name was Mary… and the angel said unto her…; ‘Thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and shalt bring forth a Son’… And Mary said to the angel: ‘How shall this be done, because I know not man?'” (Luke 1:26-34)
He was born some 2,000 years ago on Christmas Day in Bethlehem, a small town near Jerusalem in Israel.
In the city of Nazareth, until He was about thirty years old.
He preached His Gospel, worked miracles and established His Church.
“And Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom: and healing all manner of sickness and every infirmity, among the people.” (Matthew 4:23)
One of His Apostles, Judas Iscariot, betrayed Jesus to His enemies, who got the Roman governor, Pontius Pilate, to condemn Him to death, as He (Jesus) had foretold.
“Jesus began to shew to His disciples, that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the ancients and scribes and chief priests, and be put to death, and the third day rise again.” (Matthew 16:21)
The agony in the garden, the bloody sweat, the cruel scourging, the crowning with thorns, His death on the Cross, and His spiritual and mental sufferings.
“He was wounded for our iniquities, He was bruised for our sins: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him, and by His bruises we are healed.” (Isaias 53:5)
He was nailed to a cross on a hill called Calvary, just outside the city of Jerusalem, and three hours later He died.
“Who His own self bore our sins in His body upon the tree: that we, being dead to sins, should live to justice: by whose stripes you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
On Good Friday.
“This is My commandment, that you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love than this no one hath, that a man lay down His life for His friends.” (John 15:12-13)
He went to Limbo to tell the people there that the gates of Heaven would soon be opened.
“Put to death indeed in the flesh, but enlivened in the spirit. In which also coming He preached to those spirits that were in prison.” (1 Peter 3:18-19)
On Easter Sunday, three days after His death, as He had foretold.
“For I delivered unto you first of all, which I also received: How that Christ died for our sins, according to the scriptures: And that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures: And that He was seen by Cephas; and after that by the eleven. Then was He seen by more than five hundred brethren at once.” (1 Corinthians 15:3-6)
For forty days, to prove that He really had risen.
“To whom also he shewed Himself alive after His passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
On Ascension Thursday, forty days after His Resurrection.
“And the Lord Jesus, after He had spoken to them, was taken up into Heaven, and sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Mark 16:19)
The souls who had been in Limbo.
“Ascending on high, He led captivity captive; He gave gifts to men. Now that He ascended, what is it, but because He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth?” (Ephesians 4:8-9)
Yes, on Judgment Day, to judge the living and the dead.
“For the Son of Man shall come in the glory of His Father with His angels: And then will He render to every man according to His works.” (Matthew 16:27)
They went back to Jerusalem and waited for the coming of the Holy Ghost.
“But when the Paraclete cometh, whom I will send you from the Father, the Spirit of truth, who proceedeth from the Father, He shall give testimony of Me.” (John 15:26)
On Pentecost Sunday, ten days after the Ascension.
“And when the days of the Pentecost were accomplished, they were all together in one place. And suddenly there came a sound from Heaven, as of a mighty wind coming, and it filled the whole house where they were sitting. And there appeared to them parted tongues as it were of fire, and it sat upon every one of them: And they were all filled with the Holy Ghost.” (John 15:26)
“Again the high priest asked Him, and said to Him: Art Thou the Christ the Son of the blessed God? And Jesus said to him: I am. And you shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of the power of God, and coming with the clouds of Heaven. Then the high priest rending his garments, saith: What need we any further witnesses? You have heard the blasphemy. What think you? Who all condemned Him to be guilty of death.” (Mark 14:61-64)
Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity, true God and true man.
“But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent His Son, made of a woman, made under the law: That He might redeem them who were under the law: That we might receive the adoption of sons.” (Galatians 4:4-5)
Yes. He is equal to God the Father and equal to God the Holy Ghost.
“And lo, the Heavens were opened to Him: And He saw the Spirit of God descending as a dove, and coming upon Him. And behold a voice from Heaven, saying: ‘This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.'” (Matthew 3:16-17)
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matthew 28:19)
Yes. He said this to the Apostles and to the people and also while under oath in the Sanhedrin court.
“I and the Father are one.” (John 10:30)
“Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:15-16)
Chiefly, by His miracles.
If I do not the works of My Father, believe Me not. But if I do, though you will not believe Me, believe the works: That you may know and believe that the Father is in Me, and I in the Father.” (John 10:37-38)
In general, a miracle is an unusual event which is contrary to or beyond the laws of nature and which cannot be explained except through the power of God.
“The works themselves, which I do, give testimony of Me, that the Father hath sent Me.” (John 5:36)
Never, because only through the power of God could blindness be cured instantly or the dead come back to life just by the sound of a voice.
“From the beginning of the world it hath not been heard, that any man hath opened the eyes of one born blind. Unless this man were of God, he could not do any thing.” (John 9:32-33)
A miracle can be performed only by the power of God, and God could not perform a miracle in favor of a lie.
“For the works which the Father hath given Me to perfect; the works themselves, which I do, give testimony of Me, that the Father hath sent Me. And the Father Himself who hath sent Me, hath given testimony of Me.” (John 5:36-37)
He cured six blind men, eleven lepers, two paralytics, a deaf mute, raised three people from the dead, cast the devil out of many, changed water into wine, calmed a storm, walked on the waters of the sea, twice fed thousands of people with a few loaves of bread and a few fish — a word, a look, a gesture, a simple touch, and all nature obeyed Him as its Master.
“Many other signs also did Jesus in the sight of His disciples, which are not written in this book. But these are written, that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God: And that believing, you may have life in His name.” (John 20:30-31)
His resurrection from the dead, as He had foretold.
“To whom also he shewed Himself alive after His passion, by many proofs, for forty days appearing to them, and speaking of the kingdom of God.” (Acts 1:3)
By the holiness of His life, by the perfection of His teaching, by His prophecies and by fulfilling the prophecies of the Old Testament.
A sure foretelling of a future event which cannot be naturally foreseen, except through the power of God.
Yes, some of them were about His origin, nationality, tribe, divinity, time and place of birth, the virginity of His Mother, His flight into Egypt, His betrayal, and practically all the details of His Passion and death, agony, scourging, mockery, Crucifixion, burial and Resurrection.
The following have already been fulfilled: Those about His Passion, death, Resurrection, denial by Peter, betrayal of Judas, the coming of the Holy Ghost, the persecution of His followers, the destruction of the Temple and Jerusalem and the preaching of the Gospel throughout the whole world.
Like the miracles, they prove that Jesus was telling the truth when He said He was God.
“The works that I do in the name of My Father, these give testimony of Me.” (John 10:25)
Yes, because He has a body and a soul.
No, He is a divine Person, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity. Jesus Christ has two natures, a human nature and a divine nature, and yet He is only one Person.
Yes, He is God from all eternity, but He became man some two thousand years ago.
“For in Him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead corporeally.” (Colossians 2:9)
To save man from his sins and to open again the gates of Heaven.
“Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners.”
By His death on the Cross.
“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things as gold or silver, from your vain conversation of the tradition of your fathers: but with the precious blood of Christ.” (1 Peter 1:18-19)
No, because His death merely makes it possible for you to be saved.
“With fear and trembling work out your salvation.” (Philippians 2:12)
You have to be baptized, belong to the Church established by Jesus Christ, obey the Ten Commandments, receive the Sacraments, pray, do good works and die with Sanctifying Grace in your soul.
“Whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but my Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: Thou art Peter; and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:16-18)
“And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: All power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
No, because some of the things in the Bible can be misunderstood and because the Bible does not include everything that God taught.
“Understanding this first, that no prophecy of scripture is made by private interpretation.” (2 Peter 1:20)
“As also in all his [St. Paul’s] epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are certain things hard to be understood, which the unlearned and unstable wrest [twist], as they do also the other scriptures, to their own destruction.” (2 Peter 3:16)
He established a church.
“The house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
Nearly two thousand years ago.
Only one.
“Upon this Rock I will build My church.” (Matthew 16:18)
“There shall be one fold and one shepherd.” (John 10:16)
Until the End of the World.
“I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” (Matthew 28:20)
By giving His authority to the Apostles to rule and to teach.
“Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:20)
Yes, because they spoke with the authority of Jesus, and therefore, to disobey them would be a sin.
“He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)
No, they handed down their authority to others, since Jesus instituted His Church to last until the end of the World.
Some of the men who received authority from the Apostles: Matthias (Acts 1:22), Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:2), Timothy, Silas, Sylvanus, Titus, Luke, Mark (Acts 17:14; 2 Corinthians 1:19; 2 Timothy 14:11)
The Catholic Church, because it is the only Church established by Jesus Christ.
History shows that it is the only church that can be traced back to Christ.
Yes, because She alone has the authority of Jesus to rule and to teach.
To disobey the Catholic Church knowingly is just as much a sin as to disobey Jesus Christ or His Apostles.
They were established by men who had no authority to start churches of their own.
The first Protestant church was established less than 500 years ago in Germany by Martin Luther, in 1520.
| Name of church | Founder | When | Where |
|---|---|---|---|
| Episcopalian | King Henry VIII | 1534 | England |
| Presbyterian | John Knox | 1560 | Scotland |
| Congregationalist | Robert Browne | 1583 | England |
| Baptist | John Smith | 1600 | Holland |
| Methodist | John Wesley | 1739 | England |
| Adventist | William Miller | 1831 | New York |
| Christian Scientist | Mary Baker Eddy | 1879 | Massachusetts |
“And He gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors, for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Until we all meet into the unity of faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ; that henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness, by which they lie in wait to deceive. But doing the Truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in Him who is the head, even Christ.” (Ephesians 4:11-15)
A church that would be universal, united and holy, one that could not teach error and that could not be destroyed.
Only the Catholic Church.
It means “universal”, embracing all.
Because it is:
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
In the year 110, by St. Ignatius, bishop of Antioch, who wrote:
“Where Jesus Christ is, there is the Catholic Church.” (Ad Smyrn. 8:2)
“The Church is called Catholic by all Her enemies, as well as by Her own children. Heretics and schismatics can call the Church by no other name than Catholic, for they would not be understood, unless they used the name by which the Church is known to the whole world.” (St. Augustine, 4th-5th Centuries, in De Vera Religione – “Concerning True Religion”)
Yes, its approximately 1,000,000,000 members are from all races and all colors and all sections of the world.
The marvelous growth of the Church in spite of great obstacles and fierce persecution, is certainly a sign that it is the Church of Jesus Christ.
This unity means that all Catholics worldwide –
“And not for them only do I pray, but for them also who through their word shall believe in Me; that they all may be one, as Thou, Father, in Me, and I in Thee; that they also may be one in Us.” (John 17: 20-21)
It is holy because –
Because Jesus Christ promised to be always with His Church to protect it from error.
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations… Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” (Matthew 28:19-20)
No, for some 2,000 years the Catholic Church has taught the same things which Jesus Christ taught.
“The Church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the Truth.” (1 Timothy 3:15)
Because Jesus promised that…
“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matt. 16:18)
“The God of Heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed.” (Daniel 2:44)
Yes, as Jesus Christ foretold, many governments have tried without success to destroy the Church, and thousands of Catholics (martyrs) have died for the True Church.
“They will deliver you up in councils, and they will scourge you in their synagogues. And you shall be brought before governors, and before kings for my sake…and you will be hated by all men for My name’s sake.” (Matthew 10:17-22)
Answer: There is only one religion, as far as God is concerned, since He established only one, not three hundred. All other religions were established by men who had no authority from God to start them. A religion is either true or false, just as a dollar bill is either genuine or counterfeit. Although a religion may have some truth, it is a false religion if it was established by a man.
Answer: It certainly does make a difference whether you belong to the one established by God or to one established by a man. It makes a difference whether you belong to the church that has everything necessary to lead you to Heaven, or not.
Answer: All religions disagree on the important teachings of Jesus Christ. Some teach that He is God; others say He is not. Some teach that you have to be baptized to get into Heaven; others deny the necessity of Baptism. Some teach that Baptism really takes away sin, while others hold that it is only a symbol. If all religions believed in the same God, they would all have to teach the same things, since God cannot contradict Himself. God is not the author of confusion and contradiction, but of clear, unchangeable Truth.
“Jesus Christ, yesterday and today, and the same forever. Be not led away with various and strange doctrines.” (Heb. 13:8-9)
Answer: It does matter, because you act according to your belief. It does matter whether you believe killing a person dying of an incurable disease is a sin or not, or whether marriage is to last until death or not. God has given the human race certain, definite truths to believe, and He expects everyone to believe them.
“He that believeth and is baptized, shall be saved: but he that believeth not shall be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)
He told His Apostles: “Going therefore, teach ye all nations… teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you.” (Matt. 28:19-20)
“He who heareth you, heareth Me; and he who despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he who despiseth Me, despiseth Him Who sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)
“For you were as sheep going astray; but you are now converted to the shepherd and bishop of your souls.” (I Peter 2:25)
“Jesus saith to them: But whom do you say that I am? Simon Peter answered and said: Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answering, said to him: Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give to thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” (Matthew 16:15-19)
He put one man in complete charge of His Church.
“If a kingdom be divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house be divided against itself, that house cannot stand.” (Mark 3:24-25)
The Pope, who is the bishop of Rome and the Vicar (agent) of Christ on earth.
The Pope is the visible head of the whole Catholic Church.
“And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them.” (Ezechiel 34:23)
St. Peter, who was made Pope by Jesus Christ Himself.
Several months before He died.
“Thou art Peter, and upon this Rock I will build My Church.” (Matthew 16:18)
Shortly before He ascended into Heaven, Jesus gave Peter complete authority over the whole Church.
“Jesus said to Simon Peter, ‘Feed my lambs…feed my lambs…feed my sheep.'” (John 21:15-17)
No, it was handed down to a man named Linus, and after he died (78 A.D.), it was handed down to Cletus (d. 90 A.D.), and then to Clement (d. 100 A.D.), and after that to another, and so on, during the past nearly 2,000 years.
“Where Peter is, there is the Church.” (St. Ambrose, in the 4th Century)
Yes, because he speaks with the authority of Christ. Catholics, however, have to obey the Pope only in regard to matters of religion.
No, not when he speaks as head of the whole Church.
“Simon, Simon…I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and thou, being once converted, confirm thy brethren.” (Luke 22:31-32)
The Pope, also called our Holy Father and the Sovereign Pontiff, lives in Vatican City, which is in Rome, Italy. St. Peter died in Rome, and ever since then, the Bishop of Rome has been the Pope. When the Pope dies, the Cardinals elect his successor. There have been 264 Popes so far.
The world is divided up into territories called dioceses. Each diocese is ruled over by a bishop. A diocese is divided into parishes, which are ruled over by pastors. A pastor may have one or several priests to assist him.
“Therefore I say to you, be not solicitous for your life, what you shall eat, nor for your body, what you shall put on. Is not the life more than the meat: and the body more than the raiment? Behold the birds of the air, for they neither sow, nor do they reap, nor gather into barns: and your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are not you of much more value than they? And which of you by taking thought, can add to his stature one cubit? And for raiment why are you solicitous? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they labor not, neither do they spin. But I say to you, that not even Solomon in all his glory was arrayed as one of these. And if the grass of the field, which is today, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, God doth so clothe: how much more you, O ye of little faith?”
“Be not solicitous therefore, saying, What shall we eat: or what shall we drink, or wherewith shall we be clothed? For after all these things do the heathens seek. For your Father knoweth that you have need of all these things. Seek ye therefore the kingdom of God, and His justice, and all these things shall be added unto you.”(Matthew 6:25-33)
You have to have Sanctifying Grace in your soul when you die. Sanctifying Grace is God’s life in the soul.
One of the chief ways of obtaining Sanctifying Grace is by receiving the Sacraments.
An outward sign made by Jesus Christ to give you grace.
“I am come that they may have life, and may have it more abundantly.” (John 10:10)
Anything which you can see (or hear or feel), which tells you about something you cannot see.
For example, a barber pole is an outward sign which you can see in front of a store. It tells you that there is a barber inside, whom you cannot see.
The outward sign of the Sacrament of Baptism, for example, is the pouring of water on your head and saying the words, “I baptize thee in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.”
You can see the priest pour the water, and you can hear him say those words. This is the outward sign that you are receiving Sanctifying Grace, which you cannot see or hear or feel.
The Sacraments not only tell you that you have Grace in your soul, but they actually put the Grace into it.
All other signs only tell you about something you cannot see. A barber pole cannot give you a haircut; it only tells you that there is a barber inside the shop.
Baptism, Confirmation, Holy Eucharist, Penance, Extreme Unction, Holy Orders, and Matrimony.
| BAPTISM | Takes away Original Sin and gives you Sanctifying Grace for the first time. |
| CONFIRMATION | Gives you the Holy Ghost and makes you a strong Catholic. |
| HOLY EUCHARIST | Is the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ |
| PENANCE | (or Confession) Takes away sins committed after Baptism. |
| EXTREME UNCTION | Prepares you for death. |
| HOLY ORDERS | Gives a man the powers of priesthood. |
| MATRIMONY | Unites a couple in Christian marriage and gives them the graces they need to obey God’s laws on marriage. |
Yes, if you receive them worthily.
Receiving Holy Communion, Marriage, Holy Orders with a mortal sin on your soul. Not telling all your mortal sins in Confession.
A mortal sin and a sacrilege.
From God, because only God can make an outward sign (like the pouring of water) able to put grace into the soul.
“I am the way, and the truth, and the life.” (John 14:6)
Special help called “sacramental grace.”
For example, Confirmation gives you the strength to be a loyal Catholic; Matrimony gives you the special help to live your married life according to God’s laws (such as having as many children as you can).
You can receive these Sacraments only once.
Moreover, only qualified Catholic men can receive Holy Orders.
Because they imprint on the soul a spiritual mark called a character.
This mark stays on the soul after death for the glory of those who are saved and for the shame of those who are lost.
Every day, if you want.
Many Catholics receive these Sacraments once a week.
Only once, unless your spouse dies.
Any time you are in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident.
The priest gives you Baptism, Extreme Unction, Holy Communion, and Penance.
Ordinarily, the bishop gives Confirmation, but in a real emergency your pastor can give it. Only a bishop can give Holy Orders. The bride and groom give the Sacrament of Matrimony to each other, although a priest and two witnesses have to be present. In an emergency, anyone, even a non-Catholic, can baptize.
“And there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night, and said to Him: Rabbi, we know that Thou are come a teacher from God; for no man can do these signs which Thou dost, unless God be with him. Jesus answered, and said to him: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again, He cannot see the kingdom of God. Nicodemus saith to Him: How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb, and be born again? Jesus answered: Amen, amen I say to thee, unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:1-5)
Baptism is the Sacrament which makes you a Christian and a member of the Catholic Church and gives you the right to receive the other Sacraments.
“Do penance and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of your sins.” (Acts 2:38)
Because Jesus Christ said:
“Unless a man be born again of water and the Holy Ghost, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.” (John 3:5)
A serious (mortal) sin.
“Why tarriest thou? Rise up, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins.” (Acts 22:16)
The “right intention” means that you wish to become a Catholic because the Catholic Church is the only true Church.
Ordinarily, the priest, but anyone can baptize in an emergency. (See Lesson 33, Q. 4)
It is given by pouring water over the forehead of the person to be baptized and, while pouring the water, saying, “I baptize thee in the name of the father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”(Matthew 28:19), while having at least the minimum intention to do what the Church wants you to do by performing this sacramental act.
Baptism can also be given by immersion or sprinkling, but in all cases the water has to flow over the head or forehead (not just the hair).
Sponsors at Baptism are supposed to see that their godchildren stay faithful to their religious duties.
A sponsor has to be a good Catholic at least fourteen years old.
You take a Saint’s name to have that Saint watch over you and to have someone to imitate.
Yes, because they have Original Sin on their souls, which means they have no Sanctifying Grace.
Within two or three weeks of its birth.
It is a mortal sin to delay the Baptism of a baby for a long time.
“Now when the apostles, who were in Jerusalem, had heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent unto them Peter and John. Who, when they were come, prayed for them, that they might receive the Holy Ghost. For he was not as yet come upon any of them; but they were only baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. Then they laid their hands upon them, and they received the Holy Ghost.” (Acts 8:14-17)
Confirmation is the Sacrament which gives you the strength to be a good Catholic.
This Sacrament completes and perfects the Christian life you begin at Baptism.
The Holy Ghost, the Third Person of the Holy Trinity.
“Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost?” (I Corinthians 6:19)
Yes, but it is more difficult.
Yes, it is a sin to neglect Confirmation.
Usually a bishop.
You should also be well instructed in the Catholic religion.
Yes, but not the same one you had for Baptism.
Only once.
A confirmed Catholic, by his prayers and words and good example, should try to lead others to the True Church.
In the traditional rite, the Bishop, holding his hands over those to be confirmed, prays for them and then makes the Sign of the Cross on the forehead of each one with the holy oil of Chrism. He then taps each person lightly on the cheek.
He says: “I sign thee with the Sign of the Cross, and I confirm thee with the Chrism of salvation, in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”
A mixture of olive oil and balm, consecrated by the Bishop on Holy Thursday; it is a symbol of the strength received in Confirmation.
The tap on the cheek is to remind those confirmed that they must be ready to suffer all things, even death, for the sake of Jesus Christ.
“Blessed are ye when they shall revile you, and persecute you, and speak all that is evil against you, untruly, for my sake.” (Matthew 5:11)
“I am the bread of life. Your fathers did eat manna in the desert, and are dead. This is the bread which cometh down from Heaven; that if any man eat of it, he may not die. I am the living bread which came down from Heaven. If any man eat of this bread, he shall live forever; and the bread that I will give, is My flesh, for the life of the world.”
“The Jews therefore strove among themselves, saying: How can this man give us His flesh to eat?”
“Then Jesus said to them: Amen, amen I say unto you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, hath everlasting life: and I will raise Him up in the last day.”
“For My flesh is meat indeed: and My blood is drink indeed. He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent Me, and I live by the Father; so he that eateth Me, the same also shall live by Me. This is the bread that came down from Heaven. Not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead. He that eateth this bread, shall live forever. These things he said, teaching in the synagogue, in Capharnaum.” (John 6:48-60)
“And whilst they were at supper, Jesus took bread, and blessed, and broke: and gave to His disciples, and said: Take ye, and eat. This is My body. And taking the chalice, He gave thanks, and gave to them, saying: Drink ye all of this. For this is My blood of the new testament, which shall be shed for many unto the remission of sins.” (Matthew 26:26-28)
The Holy Eucharist is the Sacrament in which Jesus Christ is really and physically present under the appearances of bread and wine.
“The chalice of benediction, which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? And the bread, which we break, is it not the partaking of the body of the Lord?” (1 Corinthians 10:16)
Because it is the most blessed of all the Sacraments, since it is Jesus Christ Himself.
At the Last Supper, on the night before He died.
Jesus Christ is God and therefore can do anything.
No, the appearances of the bread and wine (taste, smell, color, size, shape, weight) did not change, even though the bread and wine were actually changed into the Body and Blood of Jesus.
The entire substance of the bread and wine are changed into the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus; thus the bread and wine no longer exist. This change is called Transubstantiation.
Yes, it is the living Christ who is present; that is, His Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity are present both under the appearance of bread and under the appearance of wine.
Yes, to His twelve Apostles at the Last Supper, when He told them, “Do this for a commemoration of me.”
Yes, because He wanted all men to eat His Flesh and drink His Blood.
“Amen, amen, I say to you: Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.” (John 6:54) (Here, “Life” means Sanctifying Grace.)
They handed it down by making other men priests and bishops through the Sacrament of Holy Orders. (See Lesson 28).
At Mass, when he says, “This is My Body,” and “This is the chalice of My Blood…”
In a little safe (called a tabernacle) on the altar.
“And my tabernacle shall be with them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” (Ezechiel 37:27)
Receiving the Body and Blood, soul and divinity of Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist.
No, unless you have mortal sin on your soul.
To do so knowingly and willingly is a mortal sin called a sacrilege.
“Fasting” means that, for one hour before receiving Communion, you have to stop eating solid food and drinking all liquids except water.
You may take water, and if sick, medicine any time before receiving. You must stop chewing gum at least one hour before. Until the 1950s, the Church required fasting from midnight before Communion; this rule was later shortened to three hours for food and one hour for liquids (with water being allowed at any time); then it was changed to one hour for food and drink, except water. It is very praiseworthy to continue observing the traditional fast either from midnight or for three hours.
At least once a year, during the Easter Season, that is, any time from the 6th Sunday before Easter to the 8th Sunday after Easter. This is called your Easter Duty.
The 6th Sunday before Easter is called the First Sunday of Lent; the 8th Sunday after Easter is called Trinity Sunday.
A mortal sin.
A good Catholic receives Communion every Sunday, or every day, if possible, but only once on the same day.
[The 1917 Code at cc 857, 858 §1 allowed the reception of holy communion a second time on the same day if in danger of death or in order to avoid irreverence to the blessed Eucharist.]
It makes the Sanctifying Grace in your soul grow.
“Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink His blood, you shall not have life in you.” (John 6:54)
“He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood, abideth in Me and I in him.” (John 6:57)
“Give us this day our daily bread.” (Luke 11:3)
“He that eateth My flesh, and drinketh My blood hath everlasting life: and I will raise him up in the last day.” (John 6:55)
“For from the rising of the sun even to the going down, my name is great among the Gentiles, and in every place there is sacrifice, and there is offered to My name a clean oblation: for My name is great among the Gentiles, saith the Lord of hosts.” (Malachias 1:11)
“And it was almost the sixth hour; and there was darkness over all the earth until the ninth hour. And the sun was darkened, and the veil of the temple was rent in the midst. And Jesus crying with a loud voice, said: ‘Father, into Thy hands I commend My spirit.’ And saying this, He gave up the ghost.” (Luke 23:44-46)
“For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, that the Lord Jesus, the same night in which He was betrayed, took bread, and giving thanks, broke, and said: ‘Take ye, and eat: this is My Body, Which shall be delivered for you: this do for the commemoration of Me.’ In like manner also the chalice, after He had supped, saying: ‘This chalice is the new testament in My Blood: this do ye, as often as you shall drink, for the commemoration of Me.’ For as often as you shall eat this bread, and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until He come.”(1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
The unbloody re-enactment of the sacrifice which Christ offered to God on Calvary – but which He now offers through the priest under the appearances of bread and wine.
A sacrifice is the offering of a gift to God by a priest, and the destruction of the gift.
No, because true religion has to have some external, public act by which men can demonstrate their worship of God.
Yes, God made Aaron and his sons priests and commanded them to offer sacrifices to Him.
“But thou and thy sons look ye to the priesthood: and all things that pertain to the service of the altar, and that are within the veil, shall be executed by the priests.” (Numbers 18:7)
Usually the priest would take an animal, offer it to God, kill it and then burn it on an altar.
They were imperfect because…
“It is impossible that with the blood of oxen and goats sin should be taken away.” (Hebrews 10:4)
Jesus Christ offered the perfect sacrifice when He died on the Cross.
“But this man offering one sacrifice for sins, forever sitteth on the right hand of God.” (Hebrews 10:12)
It was perfect because both the priest and victim were not only man but also God.
“But now once at the end of ages, He hath appeared for the destruction of sin, by the sacrifice of Himself.” (Hebrews 9:26)
Yes, because He instituted the Mass, which is the representation of His sacrifice on the Cross.
Jesus offered the first Mass at the Last Supper when He changed bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
“And taking bread, He gave thanks, and broke; and gave to them, saying: ‘This is My Body, which is given for you. Do this for a commemoration of Me.’ In like manner the chalice also, after He had supped, saying: ‘This is the chalice, the new testament in My Blood, which shall be shed for you.'” (Luke 22:19-20)
It is a sacrifice because it contains all the elements of a true sacrifice: Priest and victim are Jesus Christ, and the destruction consists in the separate consecration of bread and wine into the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ.
Catholic theology teaches that, “a Sacrament effects (does) what it signifies (symbolizes).” Jesus Christ died on the Cross from loss of blood; His blood is the price of our Redemption, according to Scripture and Tradition. In the Mass, the separate Consecration – first of the bread into His Body, then of the wine into His Blood – signifies the separation of Christ’s body and blood, which was the cause of His death on the Cross. This signified or symbolized separation of His body and blood, therefore effects in the Mass the re-enactment of His death – though in the Mass, it is in an unbloody manner.
Yes, they are the same in that the victim and the priest are the same, Jesus Christ.
“For as often as you shall eat this bread and drink the chalice, you shall shew the death of the Lord, until He come.” (1 Corinthians 11:26)
The difference is that the Sacrifice of the Cross was a bloody sacrifice; whereas, the Sacrifice of the Mass is an unbloody one.
Yes. He gave it to His twelve Apostles when He said,
“Do this for a commemoration of me” (Luke 22:19)
Yes, they and their successors said Mass.
“We have an altar, whereof they have no power to eat who serve the [Jewish] tabernacle.” (Hebrews 13:10)
“And they were persevering in the doctrine of the Apostles, and in the communication of the breaking of bread, and in prayers.” (Acts 2:42)
Yes, the power of offering Mass has been handed down during the past two thousand years through the Bishops of the Catholic Church, by the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
Jesus Christ is the principal priest; whereas, the human priest stands in the place of Jesus and speaks the words.
The priest we see at the altar shares in the priesthood of Jesus Christ through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
At the Consecration, when the priest says, This is My Body.” “This is the chalice of My Blood…”
By uniting yourself with the priest at the altar, such as by reading the Mass prayers in a missal or prayer book.
“Know you not, that they who work in the holy place, eat the things that are of the holy place; and they that serve the altar, partake with the altar? So also the Lord ordained that they who preach the gospel, should live by the gospel.” (1 Corinthians 9:13-14)
“Now when it was late that same day, the first of the week, and the doors were shut, where the disciples were gathered together, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them: ‘Peace be to you.’ And when He had said this, he shewed them His hands and His side. The disciples therefore were glad, when they saw the Lord. He said therefore to them again: ‘Peace be to you. As the Father hath sent Me, I also send you.’ When He had said this, He breathed on them; and He said to them: ‘Receive ye the Holy Ghost. Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.'” (John 20:19-23)
To save man from his sins.
“Thou shalt call His name Jesus. For He shall save His people from their sins.” (Matthew 1:21)
Yes, Jesus has the power to forgive sin because He is God.
Yes, He forgave the sins of the paralyzed man (Luke 5:18-26), the woman taken in adultery (John 8:1-11), the sinful woman (Luke 7:39-50) and the good thief (Luke 23:39-43).
Yes, to His Apostles on Easter Sunday night.
“Whose sins you shall forgive, they are forgiven them; and whose sins you shall retain, they are retained.” (John 20:23)
Yes, because He died to save all men from their sins.
“This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, Who will have all men to be saved.” (1 Timothy 2:3-4)
By making other men bishops and priests.
After the Apostles died, the bishops have continued to hand down the power of forgiving sin, during the past 2,000 years, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
All bishops and priests of the Catholic Church can forgive sin.
Penance is the Sacrament by which the sins committed after Baptism are forgiven.
You have to be truly sorry for them and confess them to a Catholic priest.
“He that hideth his sins, shall not prosper: but he that shall confess, and forsake them, shall obtain mercy.” (Proverbs 28:13)
This is the way Jesus Christ wants sin to be forgiven. Otherwise, Christ would not have given His priests the power to forgive sin.
He has to know whether he is to forgive your sins or “retain” them.
If you are truly sorry, he will grant you forgiveness (called “absolution”); if not, he must retain them (that is, refuse to give you absolution).
No, the priest, by the power given him, actually takes the sins off your soul (called “absolution”).
“For what I have pardoned… I have done it in the person of Christ.” (2 Corinthians 2:10)
Yes, if you have properly confessed them and are sorry for them.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity.” (1 John 1:9)
Besides taking sin off your soul, Confession also–
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them.
“Being sorry” means–
Religious sorrow, that is, you must be sorry because you dread the loss of Heaven and the pains of Hell (imperfect sorrow), and/or because you have offended the infinitely good God (perfect sorrow).
Therefore, to have your sins forgiven, it is not enough to be sorry because your sins have caused you to lose your job or some money. The sorrow has to be religious. Sorrow for sin is called contrition. You do not have to feel the sorrow with your emotions.
You do not have to be afraid because–
All your mortal sins.
A mortal sin of sacrilege. This is called making a bad Confession.
To undo a bad Confession, you have to confess that you made a bad Confession, confess the omitted mortal sin(s), and confess any other mortal sins you have committed since then (including Communions received in the state of mortal sin).
You must tell it in your next Confession and tell the priest that you forgot it.
But the sin is forgiven and you may receive Communion in the meantime.
Tell your venial sins and/or mention some sin already told in a previous Confession.
At least once a year (if you have committed a mortal sin).
If you ever commit a mortal sin, say the Act of Contrition right away and go to Confession as soon as possible. If you have perfect contrition for the mortal sin and intend to confess it in Confession, God forgives you and takes away the sin right away. but you may not receive Holy Communion until you confess it in Confession.
Once a week, if possible, but at least once a month.
Remember that in Confession you receive grace from the Sacrament of Penance. Besides, in Confession you receive special helps to overcome the temptations that bother you most.
Kneel in church and ask God to help you know your sins. Try to remember, as well as you can, what sins you have committed since your last Confession and how many times or how often you committed each one. Tell God that you are sorry for your sins. Then go over to the confessional booth and pray while waiting your turn to go in.
Go back to your pew, kneel down, say your penance and thank God for the Sacrament of Penance.
“Jesus saith to them: ‘But whom do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said: ‘Thou art Christ, the Son of the living God.’ And Jesus answering, said to him: ‘Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona: because flesh and blood hath not revealed it to thee, but My Father Who is in Heaven. And I say to thee: That thou art Peter; and upon this Rock I will build My Church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it. And I will give thee the keys of the kingdom of Heaven. And whatsoever thou shalt bind upon earth, it shall be bound also in Heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed in Heaven.'” (Matthew 16:15-19)
Yes, if you are truly sorry for them.
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just, to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all iniquity. (1 John 1:9)
“Temporal punishment”means that, even though all your sins are forgiven in Confession, God still demands that you be punished (for a time) either in this life or in Purgatory.
An indulgence is the taking away of all or part of the temporal punishment still due to sin.
The Church has the authority from Jesus Christ to draw on the spiritual treasury made up of the merits of Christ, His Mother and the Saints.
Whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth, it shall be loosed also in Heaven.” (Matthew 16:19)
Two kinds: Plenary and partial.
One that takes away all the temporal punishment due to sin.
Examples: Saying the Rosary before the Blessed Sacrament, making the Way of the Cross, attending Forty Hours Devotion, reading the Bible as spiritual reading for at least half an hour. A person can gain only one plenary indulgence per day, except in danger of death, when he may gain a second one.
One that takes away only part of the temporal punishment.
Examples: Using holy water, medals or statues that have been blessed, reciting the Litany of the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Yes, for the souls in Purgatory only.
The month of November is dedicated to the souls in Purgatory. During this month, Catholics are especially urged to gain indulgences for the Poor Souls to impress on them the importance of the praying for the Poor Souls at all times.
Yes, the Sacrament of Extreme Unction takes away all temporal punishment due to your sins, if you receive it with perfect intentions. Plus, any prayer or good work done in the state of grace takes away some temporal punishment, but indulgences take away more.
“Is any man sick among you? Let him bring in the priests of the Church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith shall save the sick man: and the Lord shall raise him up: and if he be in sins, they shall be forgiven him.” (James 5:14-15)
Extreme Unction is the Sacrament which gives health and strength to the soul and sometimes to the body to persons who are in danger of death.
The words “Extreme Unction” mean “last anointing.” In Baptism, Confirmation and Holy Orders, the body is anointed with holy oil. In the Sacrament of Extreme Unction the body is anointed for the last time. Hence the name.
After praying over the sick person, the priest anoints (makes the Sign of the Cross with the Holy Oil) on the person’s eyes, ears, nostrils, lips, hands, and feet.
He says: “Through this holy anointing, and by His most tender mercy, may the Lord pardon you what sins you have committed by sight (hearing, speech, and so on).”
The Sacrament of Extreme Unction —
Extreme Unction takes away —
Only a Catholic priest.
Any Catholic in danger of death from sickness, old age or accident not only can, but should receive Extreme Unction.
However, it may not be given to infants or to anyone who has never had the use of reason.
Whenever the sickness or accident is so serious that it could cause death.
Examples: Pneumonia, heart attack, a serious car accident.
Only once in the same danger of death.
However, if a new danger arises, you can receive it again.
Send for a priest right away, because Extreme Unction may be given even after a person is apparently dead.
Even when a person displays all the usual manifestations of death, the soul may still not have departed from the body. Therefore, the Church allows Extreme Unction to be administered for a item after “death” has occurred.
Because the sick person must be conscious in order to benefit the most from the Sacrament.
A mortal sin.
It often happens that a convert is the only Catholic in a family. If this is your case, therefore, you should tell your relatives to send for the priest if you are ever in danger of death.
Spread a white cloth on a table beside the bed. Then put a crucifix, two blessed candles, a bottle of holy water, a glass of drinking water, a spoon and some cotton on the table.
A member of the family, carrying a lighted candle, should meet the priest at the door and lead him to the sickroom. No one should talk to the priest, for he probably has the Holy Eucharist with him. Everyone should kneel down when he enters. If you do not have the above items, call the priest anyway.
First, he says some prayers, sprinkles the sick person with holy water and hears his Confession. Then he gives him Holy Communion and Extreme Unction, and finally, the Last Blessing.
All of these together are called the Last Sacraments or Last Rites of the Church. (Everyone else leaves the room while the priest hears the sick person’s Confession.)
“Having therefore a great high priest that hath passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God: let us hold fast our confession. For we have not a high priest, who cannot have compassion on our infirmities: but one tempted in all things like as we are, without sin. Let us go therefore with confidence to the throne of grace in seasonable aid. For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that He may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on them that are ignorant and that err: because He Himself also is compassed with infirmity. And therefore He ought, as for the people, as also for Himself, to offer for sins. Neither doth any man take the honor to himself, but he that is called by God, as Aaron was.” (Hebrews 4:14-16, 5:1-4)
“And Jesus coming, spoke to them, saying: ‘All power is given to Me in Heaven and in earth. Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and behold I am with you all days, even to the consummation of the world.” (Matthew 28:18-20)
To make sure that His work be continued, Jesus established the Catholic Priesthood, through the Sacrament of Holy Orders.
“For Christ therefore we are ambassadors, God as it were exhorting by us” (2 Corinthians 5:20)
Holy Orders is the Sacrament which gives a man the powers of the Catholic Priesthood.
A man who offers sacrifices to God for the sins of the people.
“For every high priest taken from among men, is ordained for men in the things that appertain to God, that he may offer up gifts and sacrifices for sins.” (Hebrews 5:1)
Yes, Jesus was and is, the Great High Priest.
“Wherefore it behoved Him in all things to be made like unto His brethren, that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest before God, that He might be a propitiation for the sins of the people.” (Hebrews 2:17)
The twelve Apostles, who were ordained to the priesthood by Jesus Christ Himself.
At the Last Supper, on the night before He died, when He gave them the power to change bread and wine into His Body and Blood.
“Do this for a commemoration of me.” (Luke 22:19)
Yes, for example, Paul, Barnabas, Timothy, Titus, and Matthias.
See Acts 13:3, 14:22, 1:24-26, and Titus 1:5.
By praying for them and imposing hands on them.
“Then they, fasting and praying, and imposing their hands upon them, sent them away.” (Acts 13:3)
Before they died, the Apostles made other men bishops, who in turn made other men bishops, and in this way the powers of the priesthood have been handed down during the past 2000 years.
Today the bishops hand down the powers of the priesthood just as the Apostles did – by praying over and imposing hands on the candidates for priesthood.
They are —
Other powers of the priesthood are to preach with authority, administer other Sacraments and to bless people and objects.
From Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Holy Trinity.
“He that heareth you, heareth Me; and he that despiseth you, despiseth Me; and he that despiseth Me, despiseth Him that sent Me.” (Luke 10:16)
Only a bishop.
“For this cause I left thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and shouldest ordain priests in every city, as I also appointed thee.” (Titus 1:5)
To become a priest, a man has to study for about 6 years in a special school called a seminary and be approved by his bishop as to his learning, health, morals, and character.
“Impose not hands lightly upon any man.” (1 Timothy 5:22)
The Pope chooses a priest who is known for his learning and holiness and appoints other bishops to consecrate him a bishop by imposing hands and saying the proper words.
The Cardinals elect a successor to the dead Pope.
They do not marry because —
“He that is without a wife, is solicitous for the things that belong to the Lord, how he may please God. But he that is with a wife, is solicitous for the things of the world, how he may please his wife: and he is divided.” (1 Corinthians 7:32-33)
Because he gives the life of grace to his spiritual children, just as a father gives physical life to his children.
“I write not these things to confound you; but that I admonish you as my dearest children. For if you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet not many fathers. For in Christ Jesus, by the gospel, I have begotten you.” (1 Corinthians 4:14-15)
| Pope | The bishop of Rome, vicar of Christ on earth, successor of St. Peter, visible head of the whole Catholic Church. |
| Cardinal | An honorary title given to priests or bishops because of their important positions in the Church; Cardinals elect the new Pope. |
| Bishop | Rules over the people and priests of his diocese; can give Confirmation and Holy Orders. |
| Monsignor | A priest gets this honorary title from the Pope because of his important position in the Church. |
| Pastor | Rules over a parish; is subject to the bishop of the diocese. |
| Priest | Diocesan priests work in a diocese; religious priests belong to a religious order – like the Franciscans, Dominicans, etc… |
| Monk | Monks live in a monastery, follow a strict rule under a superior – like the Benedictines and the Trappists; some are priests, others are brothers. |
| Brother | A man dedicated to teaching, hospital work or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience, but does not receive the Sacrament of Holy Orders. |
| Sister | A woman dedicated to teaching, hospital or social work, or contemplation; takes vows of poverty, chastity and obedience and belongs to a religious order or community. Cloistered sisters are usually called nuns; loosely speaking, all sisters are often called nuns. |
“And God created man to His own image: to the image of God He created him: male and female He created them. And God blessed them, saying: Increase and multiply, and fill the earth, and subdue it.'” (Genesis 1:27-28)
God made marriage and the laws concerning marriage.
When He created Adam and Eve.
For two purposes:
The Bible says so — “Increase and multiply.” (Gen. 1:28)
“I will therefore that the younger should marry, bear children, be mistresses of families.” (1 Timothy 5:14)
Yes, the very differences, both physical and mental, between man and woman show the first purpose of marriage to be the bringing of children into the world.
A woman’s body is made for the bearing and nursing of children; whereas, a man’s body is stronger so that he can protect his family and give them food and shelter. A woman is kinder, more sympathetic, more emotional than man. She needs these qualities to care for and instruct her children.
The Bible says so:
“And the Lord God said: It is not good for man to be alone: let us make him a help like unto himself… Then the Lord God cast a deep sleep upon Adam: and when he was fast asleep, he took one of his ribs, and filled up flesh for it. And the Lord God build the rib which he took from Adam into a woman: and brought her to Adam.” (Gen. 2:18, 21-22)
Yes, common sense shows that men and women are incomplete without one another but find their physical and spiritual completion in marriage.
To attract husband and wife to have children and to foster love for each other.
Husband and wife who are validly married to each other.
“but I say to the unmarried, and to the widows: It is good for them if they so continue, even as I. But if they do not contain themselves, let them marry. For it is better to marry than to be burnt.” (1 Corinthians 7:8-9)
Only one wife; God wanted this marriage to be the model for all marriages — one man and one woman.
“Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
Until the death of one of the partners.
“A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39)
Because the lifetime welfare of the children and of the married couple themselves requires that they be permanently united.
Divine law requires the couple to stay together until death, even if they have no children. In special cases separation is permitted, but the bond of marriage remains.
A union that is a real marriage in the eyes of God and therefore can be broken only by death. No power on earth, therefore, can break a valid marriage. “What therefore God hath joined together, let no man put asunder.” (Mark 10:9). This includes the civil government.
A union that was never a marriage in the eyes of God. A couple invalidly married must either separate or have the marriage made valid. Otherwise they are living in adultery or fornication.
“Neither fornicators… nor adulterers… shall possess the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
For example, it is forbidden to marry close relatives, such as uncles, aunts, nieces or nephews.
No, all human beings have to obey these laws.
However, Catholics are also bound by Church laws. For example, a Catholic cannot marry validly except in the presence of a priest and two witnesses (unless there is a special dispensation from the local bishop for a particular case and that for a sufficiently grave reason).
No. God’s law comes before man’s law.
But the State can make laws requiring a license and registration, and concerning health, property rights, and so on, as long as these laws are not against God’s laws.
Yes, if they follow God’s plan for marriage.
“Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband and shall fulfill the years of his life in peace. A good wife is a good portion, she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds. Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.” (Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4)
Raising children in the fear and love of God.
Court records show fewer marriage breakups among couples with large families.
“But for fear of fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. Let the husband render the debt to his wife, and the wife also in like manner to the husband. The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband. And in like manner the husband also hath not power of his own body, but the wife. Defraud not one another, except, perhaps, by consent, for a time, that you may give yourselves to prayer; and return together again, lest Satan tempt you for you incontinency.” (1 Corinthians 7:2-5)
“And the Pharisees coming to Him asked Him: ‘Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife?’ tempting him. But he answering, saith to them: ‘What did Moses command you?’ Who said: ‘Moses permitted to write a bill of divorce, and to put her away.’ To whom Jesus answering, said: ‘Because of the hardness of your heart he wrote you that precept. But from the beginning of the creation, God made them male and female. For this cause a man shall leave his father and mother; and shall cleave to his wife. And they two shall be in one flesh. Therefore now they are not two, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’ And in the house again His disciples asked Him concerning the same thing. And He saith to them: ‘Whosoever shall put away his wife and marry another, committeth adultery against her. And if the wife shall put away her husband, and be married to another, she committeth adultery.” (Mark 10:2-12)
“Juda therefore said to Onan his son: ‘Go in to thy [deceased] brother’s wife and marry her, that thou mayst raise seed to thy brother. He knowing that the children should not be his, when he went in to his brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable thing.” (Genesis 38:8-10)
The “marriage debt” means that a married person is obliged, under penalty of mortal sin, to give his (or her) married partner sexual intercourse whenever it is reasonably asked for.
Lawful excuses for refusing: Adultery, sickness, drunkenness, insanity, non-support, danger to an unborn baby.
No, because a marriage cannot be successful unless it is founded on love and unselfishness.
Separation in a valid marriage is a mortal sin because —
Yes, but only for a very serious reason, and only with permission of the bishop.
Because it is clearly against the law of God.
“Every one that putteth away his wife, and marrieth another, committeth adultery: and he that marrieth her that is put away from her husband, committeth adultery.” (Luke 16:18)
“A woman is bound by the law as long as her husband liveth; but if her husband die, she is at liberty: let her marry to whom she will; only in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 7:39)
No, not if the marriage is valid, because such a person is still married, and a married person is never allowed to keep company with another.
“Therefore while her husband liveth, she shall be called an adulteress, if she be with another man.” (Romans 7:3)
Sexual intercourse between a married person and someone to whom he (or she) is not married.
Doing anything before, during or after intercourse to keep the woman from becoming pregnant.
“Marriage honorable in all, and the marriage bed undefiled.” (Hebrews 13:4)
“He [Onan]…when he went in to his [deceased] brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable thing.” (Genesis 38:9-10)
No, it is always a mortal sin.
“He [Onan]…when he went in to his [deceased] brother’s wife, spilled his seed upon the ground, lest children should be born in his brother’s name. And therefore the Lord slew him, because he did a detestable thing.” (Genesis 38:9-10)
Killing an unborn baby.
“Thou shalt not kill.” (The Fifth Commandment)
No, because to take away the life of any innocent human being, even that of an unborn human being, is always murder.
From just the medical point of view, abortion is not the safe and simple procedure it is made out to be. It can cause serious injury to the woman, and even death. Women who have had abortions become sterile and miscarry more often than those who have not, plus abortion leads more often to tubal pregnancies than in women who have not aborted their children. Doctors concede that it is always safer for the woman to come to term with her pregnancy than to have an abortion, even if this means having a caesarian section.
Automatic excommunication is the penalty for this crime.
This means that such a person cannot receive the Sacraments nor have a Catholic funeral.
Yes, if he is truly sorry for having committed the crime.
However, the priest who hears his confession has to get special power from the bishop to take away the excommunication.
Making the reproductive organs unfruitful, usually by tying or cutting the fallopian tubes, cutting or tying the seminal vesicles (vasectomy), or removing the ovaries or uterus (hysterectomy).
Always a mortal sin, unless the organs are diseased and must be removed because they are a danger to the health of the whole body.
A woman is never allowed to have her tubes tied nor a man allowed to have a vasectomy under any conditions, even under doctors’ orders. If there is serious danger to the woman’s life or health, the only solution in accord with God’s law is to refrain from sexual intercourse totally or periodically.
“Being subject one to another, in the fear of Christ. Let women be subject to their husbands, as to the Lord: Because the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ is the head of the Church. He is the savior of His body. Therefore, as the Church is subject to Christ, so also let the wives be to their husbands in all things.
“Husbands, love your wives, as Christ also loved the Church, and delivered Himself up for it: That He might sanctify it, cleansing it by the laver of water in the word of life: That He might present it to Himself a glorious Church not having spot or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy, and without blemish. So also ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. ; He that loveth his wife, loveth himself. For no man ever hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, as also Christ doth the Church: Because we are members of His body, of His flesh, and of His bones. for this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife, and they shall be two in one flesh. This is a great sacrament; but I speak in Christ and in the Church.
“Nevertheless let every one of you in particular love his wife as himself: and let the wife fear her husband.” (Ephesians 5:21-33)
Matrimony is the Sacrament made by Jesus Christ to sanctify (make holy) the lawful union of a Christian man and a Christian woman.
No, marriage, although always a sacred union of man and woman, was raised to the dignity of a Sacrament by Jesus Christ.
Only those who have been baptized and are free to marry.
You have to be free of mortal sin.
A mortal sin of sacrilege.
However, the marriage is valid.
No, but it is certainly fitting that they do so.
The special Mass for a Catholic wedding is called the Nuptial Mass. Traditionally, this Mass was not celebrated for a mixed marriage, nor during Lent or Advent. But now it may be celebrated if the couple desires it. Also, it can now be said during Lent and Advent, save from Holy Thursday through Easter Sunday.
Preparations for the wedding should be made with one of the priests in the bride’s parish several months in advance.
This time requirement varies from diocese to diocese.
Only in the presence of a Catholic priest and two witnesses.
Occasionally other arrangements can be made, but this requires a dispensation in advance from the local bishop and can be done only for a sufficiently grave reason.
A Catholic who goes through a marriage ceremony before anyone other than a Catholic priest is not married.
Such a couple has to separate or have the marriage made valid.
Such a person is not married and is guilty of mortal sin.
Traditionally this sin also carried the penalty of automatic excommunication. This meant that such a person could not receive any of the Sacraments nor have a Catholic funeral. However, although this penalty no longer applies, a Catholic who goes through a marriage ceremony outside the Catholic Church still commits a grave sin.
No, except for a very serious reason.
A marriage between a Catholic and a non-Catholic is called a mixed marriage.
Because of the danger of loss of faith on the part of the Catholic and of the children.
The different religious beliefs of the parents cause serious arguments on such important matters as divorce, birth control, Sunday Mass, eating meat on Friday, and the Catholic education of the children.
Yes, mixed marriages were strictly forbidden by God.
“Neither shalt thou make marriages with them. Thou shalt not give thy daughter to his son, nor take his daughter for thy son: For she will turn away thy son from following Me, that he may rather serve strange gods, and the wrath of the Lord will be kindled, and will quickly destroy thee.” (Deuteronomy 7:3-4)
Only the bishop, and he can give permission only for a serious reason.
The Catholic must sign promises:
Also, the Catholic party must inform the non-Catholic of these promises.
Yes, provided all the laws of God concerning marriage are observed, the marriages of non-Catholics among themselves are valid and therefore cannot be broken.
“Then Tobias exhorted the virgin, and said to her: ‘Sara, arise, and let us pray to God today, and tomorrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God.’ So they both arose, and prayed earnestly both together that health might be given them, and Tobias said: ‘Lord God of our fathers, may the heavens and the earth, and the sea, and the fountains, and the rivers, and all Thy creatures that are in them, bless Thee. Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper. And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which Thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.’ Sara also said: ; ‘Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.'” (Tobias 8:4-10)
Look upon marriage as a very holy union, founded by God and raised to the dignity of a Sacrament by Jesus Christ as a means of saving your soul.
Look forward to having children and founding a Christian home. People who marry for selfish reasons (money, pleasure, beauty, fame, influence) very seldom, if ever, find happiness in marriage.
Genuine happiness is attained only by those who are completely generous and ready to sacrifice themselves in all things.
Marriage, like a career, requires specialized knowledge, and this is obtained through study and prayer. Receive marriage instructions from a priest and/or read about the duties and graces of Catholic marriage.
You should pray every day for a happy marriage, because most probably, you will save your soul or lose your soul as a married person.
“House and riches are given by parents: but a prudent wife is properly from the Lord.” (Proverbs 19:14)
Receive Holy Communion worthily and often; go to Confession regularly; observe the Ten Commandments, especially the 6th.
It is wise to seek advice when making any important decision, but especially when deciding about your partner in this lifelong union.
Look for a person who is a good Catholic, really serious about having children and founding a Christian home, one who is sincere, truthful, dependable, and chaste.
Today, young people under 21 (especially young men), although capable of marrying and having children, are often still attached to youthful pastimes and thus may find it extra difficult to adjust to the responsibilities of marriage.
God created sex to attract the husband and wife to have children and to cultivate love for one another.
Remember – to refuse intercourse to your married partner is a mortal sin, unless you have a serious reason.
Look upon having children as one of the great blessings of marriage.
Court records show that there are fewer breakups among couples with large families.
The person you marry shares in a union that was established by God Himself and raised to the dignity of a Sacrament by Christ.
“Ye husbands, likewise dwelling with them according to knowledge, giving honor to the female as to the weaker vessel, and as to the co-heirs of the grace of life: that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)
Married people should learn to control their tempers and to discuss their problems as grown-ups and not as children.
“Bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if any have a complaint against another: even as the Lord hath forgiven you, so do you also. but above all these things have charity, which is the bond of perfection: And let the peace of Christ rejoice in your hearts, wherein also you are called in one body: and be ye thankful…Wives, be subject to your husbands, as it behoveth in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter towards them.” (Colossians 3:13-15, 18-19)
Criticizing your partner’s faults or constantly harping on trifles soon destroys a happy marriage.
“And why seest thou the mote [speck] that is in thy brother’s eye; and seest not the beam that is in thy own eye? Or how sayest thou to thy brother: Let me cast the mote out of thy eye; and behold a beam is in thy own eye?” (Matthew 7:3-4)
It is a sin to be jealous or judge without evidence.
“Judge not, that you may not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you shall be judged: and with what measure you mete [measure], it shall be measured to you again.” (Matthew 7:1-2)
Your first duty is to your married partner; parents and other come second.
“Wherefore a man shall leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they shall be two in one flesh.” (Genesis 2:24)
Husband and wife should find happiness in their own home with their children, and also should associate with other happily married couples.
The wife should make the home a place to which her husband longs to go after his day’s work; it should be clean and orderly, and the meals well prepared and on time.
“Happy is the husband of a good wife: for the number of his years is double. A virtuous woman rejoiceth her husband and shall fulfill the years of his life in peace. A good wife is a good portion; she shall be given in the portion of them that fear God, to a man for his good deeds. Rich or poor, if his heart is good, his countenance shall be cheerful at all times.” (Ecclesiasticus 26:1-4)
A husband is bound to the complete support of his wife and children; a wife is obliged to use the family money wisely.
“But if any man have not care of his own, and especially of those of his house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:8)
As the saying goes, “A family that prays together stays together,” and this includes the family Rosary, attending Mass and receiving Holy Communion together.
“Where there are two or three gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.” (Matthew 18:20)
“But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
This obligation rests on both parents, whether living together or separated. They must also keep their children from all danger to life and protect them from possible death.
Parents give good example by observing strictly all of their religious duties. For example: Regularly attending Mass, not eating meat on days of abstinence, carefully avoiding indecent speech, lying, cursing, criticism of others, immodesty and drunkenness.
Parents should remember that children are great imitators, and they should be very careful of everything they do and say in the presence of their children.
A Catholic home is one in which God and Religion are of the greatest importance.
In the home there should be crucifixes, pictures of Jesus, the Blessed Virgin Mary and the Saints. Indecent pictures and calendars, sexy and sensational magazines, books, comic books, TV shows and videos have no place in the Christian home. There should be good books, Catholic newspapers and Catholic magazines.
It is a serious sin to delay the Baptism of infants, and if there is any danger to the life of the newly born baby, the priest should be called immediately.
In danger of death, and if no priest is available, Baptism can and should be given by anyone (preferably someone other than the parents). The one baptizing need not be Catholic; he may be of any religion or of no religion. But he must have the intention of doing what the Church does in Baptism. The procedure is: Pour water over the head of the child, saying at the same time: “I baptize thee in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost.”
The children should be taught to go to Confession and Holy Communion regularly and frequently – every week, if possible, especially during vacation time.
Daily prayers should be said together by the whole family.
As the saying goes, “The family that prays together stays together.” The daily family Rosary will go a very long way toward ensuring that the children grow up to be good Catholics.
Parents should not keep children home from Mass except for very serious reasons.
See Lesson 43, especially Question 11.
This includes high school and college, as well as grammar school. Parents are forbidden by Church Law to send their children to any other kind of school.
In very many cases today, the only truly Catholic school available is home schooling. Experience has shown that Catholic home schooling produces excellent results both spiritually and academically and that it brings great blessings to the family.
A Catholic cannot marry except in the presence of a Catholic priest and two witnesses.
When a son or daughter begins to think seriously of marrying, the parents should have him (or her) see the priest and receive the necessary instructions on marriage. They should encourage dating only with Catholics, or at least with non-Catholics who are willing to take a full course of instructions in the Catholic Religion. Parents commit a mortal sin by forcing or unduly persuading any of their children to marry.
Parents should avoid complaining about the hardships of married life and joking about the sacred duties of marriage.
The birth of another child should be a joyful occasion for the whole family so that the other children will consider having children as the greatest blessing of married life.
The children should be taught the serious duties and responsibilities of marriage, both by word and example.
They should also be taught the practical side of making a home, such as cleaning, cooking, sewing, repairing, caring for children, being on time, and being neat and orderly.
This information should be given carefully and with great emphasis on the beauty and sacredness of sex.
Answers to questions about the facts of life should be correct, but always suited to the age and mental development of the child. Parents should encourage the confidence of their children so that the children will come to them for information.
In addition to protecting their children from bad companions, etc., parents have a grave obligation to do whatever is necessary to protect their children from classroom “Sex Education”either in public or Catholic schools.
Formal “Sex Education” is always grossly immodest and a temptation to sin, even aside from the un-Catholic and un-Christian “slant” with which it is usually delivered.
It is a serious sin to neglect this duty.
These lessons must be given early and repeated continually.
Many parents sin seriously by bad example in this matter.
Children should be taught early to respect all lawful authority, especially the authority of the Church, the State and the School.
The Christian home should be the center of the child’s social life, a place where he feels free to bring his companions.
Parents should be extremely careful about allowing their children to attend motion pictures; they should also examine their comic books and govern their use of the radio and television, as well as the VCR. Children receive many un-Christian ideas on life, marriage, crime, drinking, body piercing, etc. from these sources of entertainment. [One can imagine what Fr. Cogan would say of modern radio, motion pictures and television.]
Having a priest, brother or sister in the family is one of the greatest blessings that God can give a mother and father. Instead of turning a child away from such a desire, parents should encourage the child.
“Come let us praise the Lord with joy: let us joyfully sing to God our savior. Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving; and make a joyful noise to Him with psalms. For the Lord is a great God, and a great King above all gods. For in His hand are all the ends of the earth: and the heights of the mountains are His. For the sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. Come let us adore and fall down: and weep before the Lord that made us. For He is the Lord our God: and we are the people of His pasture and the sheep of His hand.” (Psalm 94:1-7)
I am the Lord thy God; thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.
To offer true worship to God.
“Adore ye Him that made Heaven and earth, the sea, and the fountains of waters.” (Apocalypse 14:7)
Acknowledging the fact that God is the Supreme Being, that He created you and that you depend entirely on Him.
“For in Him we live, and move, and are.” (Acts 17:28)
By praying to Him both in private and in public.
“And they were always in the temple, praising and blessing God.” (Luke 24:53)
By never, or at least seldom, giving worship to God.
Very few people deny that God exists, but many live as though there were no God.
By praying to Him both in private and in public.
Catholic worship, since God Himself established the Catholic Church. This includes especially the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. Before Christ, the Jewish religion was the only one established by God, but it is no longer the true religion, since “Now in saying a new [covenant], he hath made the former old.” (Hebrews 8:13)
Yes, but only for the wedding or funeral of a close relative or friend or of a public official.
No; this includes singing hymns or praying aloud with the congregation.
Also, you are forbidden to act as best man or bridesmaid at a wedding at which a non-Catholic minister or rabbi officiates if the wedding is invalid.
Because Masonry is not only a secret fraternal organization but also a false religion which ignores Jesus Christ and has always been an enemy of the Catholic Church.
Other forbidden societies: Knights of the Pythias, Shriners, Odd Fellows, Sons of Temperance, Templars, also the female societies affiliated with them such as the Rebeccas, Eastern Star, Pythian Sisters.
Because Communism denies that there is a God and seeks to wipe out religion.
A Catholic who knowingly and willingly joins either of these groups commits a mortal sin.
Traditionally, these offenses were punished by automatic excommunication. Although this penalty no longer applies, joining the Masons or the Communists remains a grave sin.
Because to do so is to attribute to a creature the knowledge that belongs only to God.
Only God knows what you will do, and He certainly will not reveal the future in silly ways, such as through tea leaves, the bumps on your head or the lines in your palm.
“Except it be a vision sent forth from the most High, set not thy heart upon them. For dreams have deceived many, and they have failed that put their trust in them.” (Ecclesiasticus 34:6-7)
“Having your conversation good among the Gentiles: that whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by the good work, which they shall behold in you, glorify God in the day of visitation.” (1 Peter 2:12)
“Kings of the earth and all people: princes and all judges of the earth: Young men and maidens: let the old with the younger, praise the name of the Lord: for His name alone is exalted.” (Psalm 148:11-13)
“But [Our Lord] emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of men, and in habit found as a man. He humbled Himself, becoming obedient unto death, even to the death of the cross. For which cause God also hath exalted Him, and hath given Him a name which is above all names: That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those that are in Heaven, on earth, and under the earth: And that every tongue should confess that the Lord Jesus Christ is in the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:7-11)
Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain.
“For the Lord will not hold him guiltless that shall take the name of the Lord His God in vain.” (Exodus 20:7)
Always to use the Name of God and of Jesus reverently.
“Holy is His name.” (Luke 1:49)
By using it without good reason and without respect.
This is generally a venial sin.
An expression insulting to God or religion.
It is a mortal sin when the blasphemer really intends to insult God.
To say “hell” or “damn” or to use vulgar language usually is no sin at all, unless you mean what you say or say it out of anger or impatience. However, these expressions are not fitting for a Christian.
“Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so.” (James 3:10)
Calling on God to be witness to the truth.
A mortal sin, called perjury.
It is mortal, even in a small matter, because an oath calls upon God to witness the lie.
“Remember that thou keep holy the sabbath day. Six days shalt thou labor, and shalt do all thy works. But on the seventh day is the sabbath of the Lord thy God: thou shalt do no work on it, thou nor thy son, nor thy daughter, nor thy manservant, nor thy maidservant, nor thy beast, nor the stranger that is within thy gates. For in six days the Lord made Heaven and earth, and the sea, and all things that are in them, and rested on the seventh day: therefore the Lord blessed the seventh day, and sanctified it.” (Exodus 20:8-11)
Remember thou keep holy the Sabbath Day.
In Canada, Epiphany (Jan. 6) is a Holy Day, but the Feast of the Assumption is not.
To miss Mass on these days through your own fault and without sufficient reason is a mortal sin.
If, through your own fault, you come into the church —
The priest removing the veil from the chalice marks the beginning of the Offertory, the first of the three principal parts of the Mass.
Yes, but only for a serious reason.
Examples: Sickness, caring for a sick person, long distance from the church, necessary work.
Yes, your pastor, or the priest in Confession, can excuse you for a sufficient reason.
But it is not necessary to ask a priest if you know you have a sufficient reason.
You have the serious obligation to see that your children attend Mass on Sundays and Holy Days.
Manual (“servile”) work, unless it is necessary, such as making beds, washing dishes, taking care of the sick.
No, unless they interfere with your religious obligations.
Examples: Movies, dancing.
A mortal sin, if you work for a substantial length of time; a venial sin, if for a briefer length of time.
Unnecessary physical work is considered to be a mortal sin if it totals about 2.5 to 3 hours of hard work.
NOTE…
The Church changed the Lord’s Day from Saturday to Sunday because Our Lord rose from the dead on Sunday and the Holy Ghost came down upon the Apostles on Pentecost Sunday. Also, Sunday is the first day of the week and Saturday the last. It is altogether more fitting in the New, more perfect Law or Testament that the Church consecrate the first day of the week to the Lord, rather than the last. Thus we give God the “first fruits” of our week.
“Son, support the old age of thy father, and grieve him not in his life; and if his understanding fail, have patience with him, and despise him not when thou art in thy strength: for the relieving of the father shall not be forgotten. For good shall be repaid to thee for the sin of thy mother. And in justice thou shalt be built up, and in the day of affliction thou shalt be remembered: and thy sins shall melt away as the ice in the fair warm weather.” (Ecclesiasticus 3:14-17)
Honor thy father and thy mother.
“With thy whole heart, honor thy father, and forget not the groanings of thy mother: Remember that thou hadst not been born but through them: and make a return to them as they have done for thee.” (Ecclesiasticus 7:28-30)
Until approximately the 21st birthday, or until he or she leaves home to be married or to become a priest or sister.
No, your first obligation is to your marriage partner and your children.
Disobeying one’s parents; hating, threatening, cursing, striking, or insulting them; being ashamed of them; wishing them evil; speaking or acting unkindly toward them; causing them anger or sorrow.
To respect all lawful authority, especially the authority of the Church and the State.
“Let every soul be subject to higher powers: for there is no power but from God: and those that are, are ordained of God. Therefore he that resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God… Render therefore to all men their dues. Tribute, to whom tribute is due: custom, to whom custom: fear, to whom fear: honor, to whom honor.” (Romans 13:1-7)
See Lesson 33.
“And the Lord God formed man of the slime of the earth: and breathed into his face the breath of life, and man became a living soul.” (Genesis 2:7)
Thou shalt not kill.
To take care of your own life and the lives of others.
Only in self-defense, when it is the only way you can protect yourself or another and when you or someone else is being seriously attacked here and now.
You may kill in defense of life, bodily integrity, chastity or material goods of great value. If possible, you should flee from the attacker, or wound him rather than kill him.
No, because deliberately to take the life of any innocent person, even that of an unborn baby, is murder.
Any Catholic who knowingly and willingly has an abortion is automatically excommunicated from the Church, and anyone who helps someone to procure an abortion commits a mortal sin. See Lesson 30, questions 13 and 14.
No, your life belongs to God, and He alone can take it away.
A Catholic who commits suicide while in his right mind loses his right to have a Catholic funeral.
No, because it is murder.
A person who allows himself to be killed in this way is guilty of suicide.
To have the Fallopian tubes or the seminal vesicles (sperm ducts) tied or cut is always a mortal sin.
The reproductive organs may be removed only when they are diseased and present a danger to the whole body.
To get slightly drunk is a venial sin; to get seriously drunk is a mortal sin.
You are guilty of any sins you commit while under the influence of alcohol, even though later on you do not remember committing them.
Only when recommended by a competent doctor, and then only according to his directions.
Hatred of another person is a mortal sin and anger toward another person is usually a venial sin, unless you wish someone serious harm.
Yes, anger prompted by zeal for justice, honor to God, or some other good cause.
Jesus, for example, was angry with the buyers and sellers in the temple.
By helping another to commit sin by your sinful actions or words, or by giving another whatever is necessary to commit sin.
“But he that shall scandalize one of these little ones that believe in Me, it were better for him that a millstone should be hanged about his neck, and that he should be drowned in the depth of the sea.” (Matthew 18:6)
Yes, the state has the right to administer the death penalty for a grave crime in the interest of the common welfare.
Yes, both offensive and defensive wars are lawful for a serious and just cause if there is no other means to obtain justice.
“But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lord, and the Lord for the body. Now God hath both raised up the Lord, and will raise us up also by His power. Know you not that your bodies are the members of Christ? Shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. Or know you not, that he who is joined to a harlot, is made one body? For they shall be, saith he, two in one flesh. But he who is joined to the Lord, is one spirit. Fly fornication. Every sin that a man doth, is without the body; but he that committeth fornication, sinneth against his own body. Or know you not, that your members are the temple of the Holy Ghost, who is in you, whom you have from God; and you are not your own? For you are bought with a great price. Glorify and bear God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6:13-20)
Thou shalt not commit adultery.
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s wife.
To practice the virtue of chastity according to your state in life.
Chastity regulates the use of sex for married people. Chastity forbids any use of sex, complete or incomplete, to unmarried people. This also includes those who are engaged.
Only husband and wife who are validly married to each other, and only in the natural manner, with their proper marriage partner, and only in a manner that leaves open the conception of a child.
Sexual intercourse which a married person has with someone to whom he (or she) is not married.
“For fornicators and adulterers God will judge.” (Hebrews 13:4)
“Neither fornicators… nor adulterers… shall possess the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Sexual intercourse between an unmarried man and an unmarried woman.
Enjoying the sexual pleasure alone; also called masturbation.
Perversions committed with oneself, with another person or with animals.
“Do not err: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor the effeminate, nor liars with mankind [i.e., practicing homosexuals] shall possess the kingdom of God.” (1 Corinthians 6:9-10)
Impure thoughts and desires.
“But I say to you that whosoever shall look on a woman to lust after her, hath already committed adultery with her in his heart.” (Matthew 5:28)
Every sin of impurity is a mortal sin, unless not fully consented to, as could happen, for example, with impure thoughts.
A temptation is not a sin. If you reject a temptation, you do a good act and receive extra grace.
When you knowingly and willingly keep such thoughts in your mind, but especially in taking pleasure in them.
“For from within out of the heart of men proceed evil thoughts, adulteries, fornications, murders.” (Mark 7:21)
Yes, with God’s help —
“And every one that striveth for the mastery, refraineth himself from all things: and they indeed that they may receive a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible one.” (1 Corinthians 9:25)
“Thou shalt not steal.” (Exodus 20:15)
“A thief is better than a man that is always lying: but both of them shall inherit destruction.” (Ecclesiasticus 20:27)
“He that stealeth any thing from his father, or from his mother: and saith, ‘This is no sin’, is the partner of a murderer.” (Proverbs 28:24)
“Nor thieves, nor covetous… nor extortioners, shall possess the kingdom of God.” (Corinthians 6:9-10)
“He that stole, let him now steal no more; but rather let him labor, working with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have something to give to him that suffereth need.” (Ephesians 4:28)
“Envies, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like. Of the which I foretell you, as I have foretold to you, that they who do such things shall not obtain the kingdom of God.” (Galatians 5:21)
Thou shalt not steal.
To respect the property of others.
Taking anything which does not belong to you and which the owner is not willing to give you.
Stealing something expensive is a mortal sin; something cheap is a venial sin.
No, you have to give the good to the person whom they were stolen, whether you stole them yourself or got them from somebody else.
No matter how small the theft – silverware, ash trays, towels – you must give it back.
Give the stolen goods to charity, or give a comparable amount of money.
You must pay for the damage, or else be guilty of sin.
The sin is mortal or venial depending on the value of the object damaged or destroyed.
Try to find the owner.
If the article is expensive, then you must spend some money advertising for him. He has to pay you the money you spent in trying to find him.
It is no sin to gamble if —
Thou shalt not covet thy neighbor’s goods.
By desiring to steal someone else’s property and by envy or jealousy, that is, resentment over someone else’s good fortune or wishing he did not have it.
You can be jealous and envious of someone’s beauty, intelligence, holiness, etc., as well as of his or her material goods. Jealousy is also called discontent.
Usually venial sins, unless they involve a serious matter; then they are mortal.
Remember that temptation is not a sin, unless you accept the envious feelings. If you reject them, you do a good act and receive more Sanctifying Grace from God in return.
“And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is placed among our members, which defileth the whole body, and inflameth the wheel of our nativity, being set on fire by hell. For every nature of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of the rest, is tamed, and hath been tamed, by the nature of man: But the tongue no man can tame, an unquiet evil, full of deadly poison. By it we bless God and the Father: and by it we curse men, who are made after the likeness of God. Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.” (James 3:6-10)
Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbor.
To use the power of speech according to God’s plan, that is, always to tell the truth.
A mortal sin if it harms someone seriously; otherwise, it is venial.
No, not even a small one, not even to save someone’s life or reputation.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak ye the truth every man with his neighbor; for we are members one of another.” (Ephesians 4:25)
You have to do everything you can to restore his good name and make up any losses he suffered because of your lies.
Yes, unless someone else would suffer harm; in such a case you are obliged to tell the proper authorities.
Yes, because you are co-operating in another’s sin.
It is a duty of charity to defend the reputation of another when it is being attacked.
Telling a lie after swearing to God to tell the truth is always a mortal sin.
“A false witness shall not be unpunished: and he that speaketh lies, shall perish.” (Proverbs 19:9)
“And one of them, a doctor of the law, asked Him, tempting Him: ‘Master, which is the great commandment in the law?’ Jesus said to him: ‘Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with thy whole heart, and with thy whole soul, and with thy whole mind. This is the greatest and the first commandment. And the second is like to this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments dependeth the whole law and the prophets.'” (Matthew 22:35-40)
The virtue by which you love God above all things and your neighbor as yourself for the love of God.
“And now there remain faith, hope and charity, these three: but the greatest of these is charity.” (1 Corinthians 13:13)
Perfect love is love of God because He is supremely perfect and good in Himself; whereas, imperfect love is based on gratitude for benefits received and hope for benefits to come.
No, because:
“If any man say, I love God, and hateth his brother; he is a liar. For he that loveth not his brother, whom he seeth, how can he love God, whom he seeth not?” (1 John 4:20)
Every human being on earth, the souls in Purgatory, the Angels and Saints.
“To ransom the captive” was put in this list obviously from the days when Moslems took Christians captive as slaves. Perhaps this currently less common work of mercy should be replaced by “To save the pre-born”, now that abortion is so prevalent.
“And Jesus being full of the Holy Ghost, returned from the Jordan, and was led by the Spirit into the desert, for the space of forty days; and was tempted by the devil. And He ate nothing in those days; and when they were ended, He was hungry.” (Luke 4:1-2)
Fasting means that on certain days, you may eat —
A fast day consists of 24 hours, from midnight to midnight. The two small meals may be only enough to maintain strength and are not to exceed the size of the one main meal. Liquids, including milk and fruit juice, may be taken between meals, but tend to violate the spirit of the fast.
Every Catholic over 21 and not yet 59, who is not sick, pregnant or nursing a baby.
People doing heavy manual labor may be excused from this obligation by their pastor or confessor; also, those who work long hours.
A mortal sin, unless you are excused.
According to the old norms:
Some Catholics continue this tradition. According to the new norms, there are only 2 fast days: Ash Wednesday and Good Friday.
On Ash Wednesday; it ends 40 days later, on the Saturday before Easter at midnight.
The Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays following September 14, December 13, Pentecost Sunday and the 1st Sunday in Lent. Under the new norms the Ember days are no longer observed.
Abstinence means that on certain days you may not eat meat.
The flesh of any warm-blooded animal or bird and the soups or gravies made from such flesh.
Sea foods are allowed (fish, lobster, turtles, crabs, oysters, frogs, scallops, clams, and so on).
Traditionally, every Catholic 7 years of age and over.
According to the new norms, every Catholic 14 years of age and over is obliged to abstain.
A mortal sin.
According to the old norms: Ash Wednesday, all Fridays of the year (unless a Holy Day of Obligation falls on Friday), December 7 and December 24 (or 23). Some Catholics continue this tradition. According to the new norms: Ash Wednesday and every Friday of Lent. According to the new norms, on every Friday of the year outside Lent Catholics must either abstain from meat or do some other comparable penance, unless the Friday falls on a Holy Day of Obligation, in which case one is excused from abstinence.
Traditionally, this means that those who are obliged to abstain may eat meat only once (at the main meal) on the Wednesdays and Saturdays of Ember weeks and on the vigil of Pentecost. Under the new norms there are no longer any days of partial abstinence.